Mental health of registered nurses (RNS) and medical doctors (MDS) working with coronavirus patients in Lebanon at SGHUMC, HDF and RHUH hospitals during 2020 covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), known as COVID-19 originally emerged in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019 and spread internationally. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on March 11, 2020, that COVID-19 is a pandemic. Health care practitioners working with patients infected with coronavirus are susceptible to both infection and mental health illness. Professionals may also suffer from fear of being contagious and spreading the virus to their surrounding and their loved ones. This is due to the increasing number of infected people, significant workload, absence of specific treatment, shortage of PPE and feeling unsupported. Rationale: Covid-19 disturbs work, lifestyles and causes psychological distress. During the coronavirus pandemic, the mental health of patients and healthcare professionals is under-addressed. Aim: This study aims at assessing psychological distress among Registered Nurses (RNs) and Medical Doctors (MDs) at Saint-Georges Hospital University Medical Center (SGHUMC) in Lebanon during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Methodology: A Cross-sectional design will be adopted, and an online questionnaire will be sent, targeting those who work in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Significance: Mental health programs that focus on professionals working in direct contact with COVID-19 patients are quite scarce. Results of this study would be valuable to provide evidence to put in place a support system for nurses and doctors throughout this ongoing unprecedented event.