Caring for the Caregivers: Mental and Spiritual Support for Healthcare Teams During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Excerpt

The unique challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has put upon us are more pronounced when dealing with cancer patients. Healthcare teams are adjusting to an ever-changing environment with an elusive disease that requires adaptation to new practices. Since much of the effort is directed toward Corona-dedicated departments, other teams are depleted, while required to maintain the same level of service. When dealing with cancer patients, things are even more complex: among those who do come to get treated, many are immune-compromised and are at a higher risk of complications upon contracting the virus. Others are reluctant to seek medical care in hospitals since they are perceived as “risky” places to contract the disease. We are starting to see patients that postponed seeking medical care in previous months and currently presenting with malignancies at later stages of their disease [1]. All this puts a huge burden on healthcare providers in general and those who treat cancer patients in particular. Positive professional quality of life leads to compassion satisfaction and better patient care. However, with the increased burden the tables turn. …