The major mental pressures faced by different groups of frontline professionals under the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic: systematic literature review

Abstract

The quarantine restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have changed not only normal lifestyles, but also working conditions. The new challenges have transformed many jobs in terms of performance of the professional duties, boosted the need for flexibility and specific knowledge, and increased mental strain. This is especially true for frontline professionals, whose work was not and could not be stopped, but the usual work execution algorithms were changed in compliance with the quarantine requirements. Medical staff, pharmacists, social workers, police and customs officers, who cannot avoid direct contacts with other people when performing their duties, have become exposed to a set of health risk factors as well as numerous operational and organizational stressors. Educators, psychologists and business owners have faced the unpredictable scenarios that forced them to change traditional work methods, relationship with customers and colleagues, and thus have the feeling of uncertainty about the future. Many frontline professionals have started working longer hours, dealing with higher workloads, and managing risky situations. Regardless of what institution frontline professionals work for, they must constantly adjust service provision to changing quarantine conditions, at the same time ensuring high quality of the service and remaining safe. The challenge of reconciling all these requirements has weakened frontline professionals’ mental resilience and made them vulnerable. Taking into account the crucial role of different frontline professionals in maintaining public health, order, and provision of social and other essential goods and services, broader and more specific research of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of particular groups of frontline professionals is still needed. The main purpose of this research is to systematize the latest findings concerning the major mental pressures faced by different groups of frontline professionals working under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and to develop the recommendations that would allow to prevent making mistakes during the pandemic.