Behind the Frontline: A Review on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has been havoc that spread like wildfire, snatching the lives of many, attacking the mental health of many more, and leaving a major chunk with the constant fear of contracting this illness. It need not be mentioned that the aftermath of this pandemic was much more on frontline workers as compared to the general population. It has now become evident that the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced medical services and assets. This unpredictable mass health crisis had a significant impact on healthcare facilities, clinical transportation, patients with healthcare workers (HCWs), and their families. This difficult situation reinforces the requirement to step forward and take the necessary steps to shield frontline workers from deeds of violence and assaults. In this context, the present article reviews the impact the COVID warriors had on their physical, social, and especially psychological health. It revealed that the COVID-19 outbreak imparted a lesson greater than ever, that shielding the health and lives of HCWs is crucial to enable a better worldwide outcome. Be it doctors or nurses or paramedical staff, no one is exempt from the horrendous effect this crisis created on the mental as well as the physical and social well-being. Frontline HCWs demonstrated more degradation of these dimensions of their health and wellbeing as compared to non-frontline healthcare staff. Constant exposure to various infectious agents over the years, along with strenuous duties in the healthcare setup, led to neglected health. Being in direct contact with several COVID patients for longer durations imposed a greater risk on frontline workers. Not many studies have been done on this aspect, as health care workers are altruistically involved in saving lives rather than focusing on their own health. Efforts should be made to have a closer look at the aftermath of this havoc on HCWs and go into the depth of depredation in order to better manage any forthcoming healthcare crisis without hampering the well-being of HCWs.