Effects of Critical Incident Stress Management on Nurses During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the effect of Critical Incident Stress Management on the mental health of nurses during COVID-19.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Jhelum Pakistan from Mar to Jun 2020.

Methodology: Forty-six nurses were consecutively recruited and evaluated regarding Knowledge about COVID-19, thoughts regarding its origin, emotional reactions, and coping mechanisms. The evaluation was followed by the provision of Critical Incident Stress Management sessions in March. Finally, in the second phase conducted in June, the participants were evaluated again to assess the effect of intervention regarding the above parameters.

Results: Results indicated a statistically significant shift in Knowledge from Social Media to Academic Resources (p<0.001). Thoughts regarding the origin of COVID-19 showed that ‘Religious Causes’ and belief in ‘Religious and Biological Causes both” significantly reduced (p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively), while opinions regarding ‘Biological Causes’ increased in frequency (p< 0.001). Emotionally a significant reduction was seen in Confusion (p<0.001). A significant reduction was observed in Religious Rituals (p=0.002) for Coping Mechanisms. However, observing Safety Precautions and Distraction Strategies were insignificantly affected (p=0.668 and p=1, respectively).

Conclusion: Critical Incident Stress Management helped healthcare workers sublimate their emotional reactions and helped them cope with a productive mindset for better management of the pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19, Critical incident stress management, Paramedics, Psychological impact.