Abstract

Since December 2019, outbreak of a novel viral disease was reported in Hubei province of China, which was caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The pandemic could have severe effects on the mental health of workers. This disease will not only raise public health concerns but also cause several forms of psychological distress, including anxiety, fear, depression, stigmatization, avoidance behaviors, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, it is essential to explore the psychological side of the pandemic and the factors related to mental health in the workplace. We performed a literature search using Google Scholar and PubMed, selecting papers focusing on nurses and health workers’ psychological problems that can be related to the workplace during the pandemic. Eight articles were included. Mental issues related to the health emergency, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially those on the frontline workers. The results of study showed that the COVID-19 epidemic crisis has caused psychological consequences such as depression, decreased concentration and mental disorder, lack of self-confidence, negative attitude towards the organization, interpersonal conflict, frustration, stress, and demoralization in nurses and health workers.

Keywords: COVID-19, Pandemic, Mental, Health, Nurses