COVID-19 resources: Wellbeing

The Australian Psychological Society has prepared a guide for Australians, outlining some useful strategies which can help both adults and children cope with the stress or anxiety experienced as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The extreme stress, uncertainty, and often difficult medical nature of global infectious disease outbreaks, such as Coronavirus (COVID-19), require special attention to the needs of healthcare personnel. Taking care of yourself and encouraging others to practice self-care sustains the ability to care for those in need.

A page containing CSTS fact sheets and other resources to support the health and well-being of communities impacted by COVID-19 can be found here.

WHO’s newly launched platform aims to combat misinformation around COVID-19. John Zarocostas reports from Geneva.

Abstract
The December, 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak has seen many countries ask people who have potentially come into contact with the infection to isolate themselves at home or in a dedicated quarantine facility. Decisions on how to apply quarantine should be based on the best available evidence. We did a Review of the psychological impact of quarantine using three electronic databases. Of 3166 papers found, 24 are included in this Review. Most reviewed studies reported negative psychological effects including post-traumatic stress symptoms, confusion, and anger. Stressors included longer quarantine duration, infection fears, frustration, boredom, inadequate supplies, inadequate information, financial loss, and stigma. Some researchers have suggested long-lasting effects. In situations where quarantine is deemed necessary, officials should quarantine individuals for no longer than required, provide clear rationale for quarantine and information about protocols, and ensure sufficient supplies are provided. Appeals to altruism by reminding the public about the benefits of quarantine to wider society can be favourable.

In December, 2019, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus pneumonia occurred in Wuhan (Hubei, China), and subsequently attracted worldwide attention. By Feb 9, 2020, there were 37 294 confirmed and 28 942 suspected cases of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in China. Facing this large-scale infectious public health event, medical staff are under both physical and psychological pressure. To better fight the COVID-19 outbreak, as the largest top-class tertiary hospital in Hunan Province, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University undertakes a considerable part of the investigation of suspected patients. The hospital has set up a 24-h fever clinic, two mild suspected infection patient screening wards, and one severe suspected infection patient screening ward. In addition to the original medical staff at the infectious disease department, volunteer medical staff have been recruited from multiple other departments.

It can be difficult to approach a colleague if you have concerns about their wellbeing because of a change in their behaviour. Abi Rimmer asks experts how best to handle this situation

A little while ago I wrote this post about my experiences in asking difficult but important questions in psychiatry. Today’s article in the Sydney Morning Herald which relates the far too common experience of just one junior doctor seeing their colleagues suicide around them raises for me the issue of whether we more senior doctors are sufficiently addressing this problem as part of our duty of supervision of junior trainees?

Claire Ashton-James, PhD, is a social psychologist. She is a faculty member at the University of Sydney where she conducts original research into the impact of patient and clinician emotions on judgment and behaviour, patient perceptions of clinician trustworthiness, and digital behavioural health solutions. She has published over 40 articles in leading peer-reviewed scientific journals (e.g. Psychological Science, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and PAIN) and is regularly invited to present her work at conferences, research institutes and healthcare organisations around the world.