key: cord-0011726-npcnc39o authors: Hu, Xiaolin; Huang, Wenxia title: Protecting the psychological well‐being of healthcare providers affected by the COVID‐19 outbreak: Implications for the psychological rescue work of international community date: 2020-04-26 journal: Nurs Health Sci DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12727 sha: 71993108a02dfb5b79f988b67beea85d08298406 doc_id: 11726 cord_uid: npcnc39o nan Transparent information, clear communications, and adequate medical supplies and support materials are essential. The extent of the pandemic and scientific uncertainties of the virus have kept the public as well as healthcare workers in a state of fear and panic. Accurate and transparent information provided through regular and accurate updates about the COVID-19 outbreak is essential (Xiang et al., 2020) . Healthcare workers and the public should be provided with updates regarding the treatment process, progress of studies, and health to ease their sense of uncertainty and fear. The potentially life-threatening occupational exposure faced by healthcare workers in the face of shortages or inadequacy of personal protective equipment is a major cause of stress in the COVID 19 pandemic (Dawe et al., 2020) . A study from Central China Hospital, Wuhan, among 138 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia, 40 healthcare workers (29%) were affected by cross-infection while providing care to patients confirmed or suspected of being infected in hospitals (Dawe et al., 2020) . In Italy, one of the worst-hit countries, more than 10,000 healthcare workers have been reported being infected, with 69 deaths (Anaao Assomed, 2020). The effectiveness of protective gear has helped to relieve the psychological distress experienced by healthcare workers (Tam et al., 2004) . Thus, assuring the needs of healthcare workers on the front lines is of prime importance. An adequate supply of protective items, sufficient food, and support materials, as well as Medicare, Medicaid, and policies supporting all healthcare workers and their families, are imperative (Tam et al., 2004) . Healthcare workers also need to feel supported by their management and trust that management has their best interests at heart. Psychological support and crisis intervention tailored to healthcare workers are needed to alleviate psychological distress. Healthcare workers caring for patients diagnosed with COVID 19 are at a higher risk of developing psychological distress. Taking preventive measures and providing psychological interventions tailored to these healthcare workers can This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. workers should include critical topics, such as how to recognise early signs and risk factors of psychological distress, emotion management, coping strategies for stress, peer support for colleagues, and available resources for social and professional support. Overall, healthcare workers, and in particular those providing care for patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, are, as a group, the most vulnerable to mental health disorders. However, to date, the mental wellbeing of healthcare workers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak has not drawn enough attention worldwide. The mental wellbeing of healthcare workers should be a fundamental goal and critical aspect of public health and safety. Therefore, promptly establishing and implementing a long-term psychological relief mechanism that integrates psychological assessment, treatment, support, training, and services for healthcare workers should be one of the most crucial and pressing missions within the health emergency response to the COVID-19 outbreak. As COVID-19 is an uneven epidemic at the global level, countries and communities have different contexts and require a tailored response, our experience can only be seen as a reference for the international community, and not as a complete solution. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. National Health Commission of People's Republic of China. National Health Commission's Briefing on the Current Pneumonia Epidemic Situation in China Hong Kong in 2003: stress and psychological impact among frontline healthcare workers Timely mental health care for the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak is urgently needed National Health Commission of China. Principles for emergency psychological crisis intervention for the new coronavirus pneumonia & Schreiber MDA. systematic review of the impact of disaster on the mental health of medical responders