The past two years were one of the most challenging and unexpected events that the world has encountered because of the global pandemic.
Although COVID-19 cases are dropping in the country and advances in technology are making regular patient consultations possible, many local healthcare professionals still find working under pandemic conditions overwhelming.
Undoubtedly the pandemic mentally hurts us, especially our health workers, we must let them know too that help is always available.
Teleconsultations that last until late evening and being away from loved ones for extended periods are just some of the issues that continue to drain them to this point.
The webinar "Kumusta Dok — The Afterlife: Emerging After COVID" has provided healthcare professionals a way to identify and manage symptoms of burnout and achieve that balance of taking care of their patients and their well-being.
"Going through stressful life experiences can be unhealthy because this could lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, which we have commonly seen since the pandemic started," webinar speaker Dr. Robert Buenaventura said.
"If you show symptoms of burnout, it's a good idea to see a mental health professional. You have to realize that help is available."
Dr. Buenaventura is the head of the Department of Neurosciences at Manila Theological College and associate professor in human life span and psychiatry at La Consolacion University Philippines.
Kumusta Dok is an initiative that aims to empower patients to reconnect with their doctors during the new normal. The Kumusta Dok initiative also gives tips and updates on the channels available for patients to strengthen partnerships with doctors throughout the health-seeking journey. It shares efforts being made by healthcare facilities to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare staff while delivering appropriate care. It likewise partners with medical societies to create educational and wellness platforms for healthcare professionals as we live through this pandemic.
Based on a study (see footnote below) conducted during the height of the pandemic, out of five hundred sixteen (516) healthcare workers in the Philippines, 70.7% have anxiety symptoms. The study revealed that the pandemic had a psychological impact on the majority of healthcare workers.
According to Dr. Buenaventura, red flags to watch out for indicating too much stress or a mental health condition include a change in moods, memory, and behavior, as well as lower productivity and frequent absenteeism. Those who suffer mental burnout also have a tendency to withdraw from social connections and ignore personal self-care and hygiene.
To manage these symptoms and get a proper diagnosis or treatment plan, Dr. Buenaventura suggests seeking the help of a mental health professional who can be reached via teleconsultation or in-person visits. Another way to contact a mental health professional or a trained counselor is via anonymous, 24/7 hotlines.
"Consultations don't necessarily have to be about a mental disorder,” Dr. Buenaventura added. "It can just be about the stress that can be managed by other means. But you need to identify and accept that the problem exists because that is the first step to doing something about it."
Those who are not receptive to meeting a mental health professional can instead engage in doing stress management techniques to cope with burnout symptoms. Their options include exercise, adopting a healthy diet, or getting enough sleep.
They can also try other therapeutic maneuvers such as meditation or mindfulness, correcting negative thoughts, or progressive muscle relaxation.
"Self-care is very crucial because it's an integral part of professional fulfillment," Dr. Buenaventura said.
If you’re a healthcare worker and showing symptoms of anxiety and burnout, take the necessary steps to get help. Consider taking a break or talking to a trusted friend or a professional.
I hope this would be able to help all of us who are dealing with anxiety and depression. Share this with your friends who you think would benefit from this article too.
1Marzo, Roy Rillera et al. Risk perception, mental health impacts and coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic among Filipino healthcare workers. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34911287/
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I am so glad that the pandemic is slowly fading away. It has taken its toll, but relief and better times are ahead
ReplyDeleteThe pandemic has been so hard. The physical dangers have been immense, but the mental strain has been almost as bad.
ReplyDeleteWe are all affected by the pandemic. But that doesn't mean we just have to accept it. There are ways to live side by side with the health crisis. For our regular medical check-up, we use an online app - NowServing.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Help is here and I committed myself to keep on providing it. COVID-19 will not disrupt our lives forever while some of us are still here!
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's good to see health professional when feeling burnout. It's good to seek for help.
ReplyDeleteMental Health became a prioirity during Pandemic. Your post is really helpful to all. I wish this was available in India.
ReplyDeleteThe pandemic really put a wrench in the game. I'm very happy that we're slowly getting things back together. Doctors and nurses have worked so hard during this time.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad things are finally starting to get back to normal. The pandemic really did put extra stress on everyone and cause tons of anxiety and depression.
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