Solutions to prevent and address physician burnout during the pandemic in Mexico

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the level of preparedness and readiness of governments globally. The demand for services exceeding the capacity of the health systems in both developed and developing countries has been the rule rather than the exception. Physicians and the rest of the health-care personnel have been put through unprecedented levels of demand, within a field of uncertainty, from an evolving and insufficient understanding of the pathophysiology of the viral process, the unclear benefit of face coverings used by the general public, numerous pharmacological candidates, insufficient personal protection equipment, and the highly expected vaccine. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Design a program to address the emotional and psychiatric needs of COVID-19 first response Healthcare personnel in Mexico. MATERIALS: in march 2020, the Mexican Psychiatric Association was invited to be part of the Workgroup for the fortification of Mental Health during Disasters of the Ministry of Health in Mexico. The charge was to develop a program to address the needs and prevent burn out in physicians and the rest of healthcare personal. The details of how this program was planned, implemented, and launched will be presented. RESULTS: The program was launched in two phases. Phase A through a chat with text messaging capability was launched on 25 April, 2020. B through telepsychiatric video calls, was launched on 15 June, 2020. Phase A had a very limited demand. Phase B also had a very limited demand until the month 5 September, 2020. CONCLUSIONS: from the time of program launch through the first four months, the demand was very low, what may be explained due to “normalization” of stress and/or stigma among healthcare professionals. Our personnel deserve the utmost support from their society.