key: cord-0753562-18ae4b5o
authors: Archard, P.J.
title: Defence mechanisms and staff support during the COVID-19 pandemic
date: 2021-12-18
journal: Eur J Psychiatry
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpsy.2021.04.003
sha: ebaa4d819cd929948d23f562fef39d22ac6e6205
doc_id: 753562
cord_uid: 18ae4b5o

nan

Defence mechanisms and staff support during the COVID-19 pandemic Walker and McCabe's recent case series details defence mechanisms Walker encountered in healthcare professionals (including himself) in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic working as a senior psychiatry trainee in a large teaching hospital in Scotland. 1 The contribution is a useful addition to literature addressing the psychodynamics of healthcare work during the pandemic, 2 and in reflecting on how the existential implications of this period may, paradoxically, be to direct people and public healthcare systems to a more compassionate and sensitive attitude towards 'the other'. 3 Walker and McCabe begin their analysis by briefly acknowledging the role of supervisory support in buffering the negative emotional impact of the pandemic on professionals. However, they conclude in reference to psychological therapy and medication in combination with psychological therapy as means of, as they refer to them, 'penetrating' defence mechanisms. It is important not to overlook the value of staff support and work discussion groups (as well as other forms of psychosocial support) in helping clinicians to cope with and process the distress and pain they are exposed to and experience. 4, 5 Opportunities to conduct these groups in person are, of course, presently constrained due to physical distancing requirements and changes in staffing arrangements. But, like therapy sessions and medical and psychiatric consultations, they can be facilitated via videoconferencing and telephone.

Ethical approval was not required for this work.

There was no funding for this work.

Psychological defence mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case series

Psychoanalytic perspectives on moral injury in nurses on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic

World of change: reflections within an educational and health care perspective in a time with COVID-19

The Bulle: support and prevention of psychological decompensation of health care workers during the trauma of the COVID-19 epidemic

Nurses need support during Covid-19 pandemic

Archard Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Young People's Team)

The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.