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Granek L, Nakash O. Oncology Healthcare Professionals’ Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:4054-4067. [PMID: 35735432 PMCID: PMC9222050 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29060323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The paper begins by reviewing the literature on oncology healthcare professionals’ (HCP) mental health. We summarize and present the current data on HCP mental health in order to understand the baseline state of oncology HCPs’ mental health status prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. At each juncture, we will discuss the implications of these mental health variables on the personal lives of HCPs, the healthcare system, and patient care. We follow by reviewing the literature on these parameters during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the overall mental health of HCPs working in oncology. By reviewing and summarizing the data before and after the start of the pandemic, we will get a fuller picture of the pre-existing stressors facing oncology HCPs and the added burden caused by pandemic-related stresses. The second part of this review paper will discuss the implications for the oncology workforce and offer recommendations based on the research literature in order to improve the lives of HCPs, and in the process, improve patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leeat Granek
- School of Health Policy and Management and Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-416-736-2100
| | - Ora Nakash
- School for Social Work, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063, USA;
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