The experience of the emergency psychologist during the Covid-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK

the new coronavirus pandemic COVID-19 has had a strong psy- chological impact on the world population. Volunteer psychologists, and psychologists that work in the emer- gencies have also been exposed to the consequences of the impact of the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of the psychologist during the Covid-19 emergency intervention.

METHODS

an exploratory study, following a qualitative design using Focus Group method was adopted. A total of 24 psychologists was recruited from volunteers of the "Pronto Pșy - Covid-19" service, organized by the Ital- ian Society of Emergency Psychology Social Support, Emilia Romagna. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) was held about: their experiences during the online psychological support; needs detected by users; training needs that emerged during the intervention and professional skills applied.

RESULTS

five themes were identi- fied: psychological distress of rescuers; online emergency setting; support of colleagues and gratitude as stress management strategies; need of skill and tools in pandemic emergency intervention; integrated psychological intervention.

DISCUSSION

the stress reaction of the emergency psychologists was due in particular to the type of emergency and lack of standardized approach. The group meetings represented an important resource to face traumatic stress.

CONCLUSIONS

this study showed the role the need for specific tools for pandemic intervention to protect the well-being of the professional from impact of stress. Further research is needed. (www.actabiomedica.it).

The intervention of the emergency psychologist: the SIPEM SoS Emilia Romagna during the first lockdown from COVID-19

Background and purpose of this work: WHO 11 March 2020 declares that Sars-Cov-2 infection is not only a health emergency but must be considered a pandemic. Covid-19 required the urgency of a new psychological intervention model to better address the crisis and ensure a direct support response to the people involved in the pandemic. The present study aimed to detect the symptoms and reactions of the population with respect to the event. The survey was carried out by describing the clinical symptoms that emerged from the triage card used by SIPEM SoS Emilia Romagna (Italy), connoting the criteria of emergency psychology.

METHODS

A retrospective quantitative study was conducted on 288 psychological triage cards.

RESULTS

only 11% of users who ask for support say they are positive while 85% report not having contracted the virus. Of the total, 40.9% call for psychological support in the management of anxiety symptoms, a need also reported by 55% of the subsample who declared previous psychological problems. In reaction to the pandemic event, 51.1% of the total refers to coping resources and availability for help.

DISCUSSIONS

the need for support of the population to manage symptoms highlights the need for early interventions, also to facilitate that slice of the population that does not have effective individual coping strategies and resources available to help.

CONCLUSIONS

it can be deduced that interventions during these types of emergencies must be timely and aimed not only at those affected but also at the general population.