EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS AND SLEEP DISTURBANCES IN PARAMEDICS IN THE ERA OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Infectious diseases have accompanied mankind for centuries, and the effects of their dramatic course are felt on many levels of everyday life. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus infection carries a tremendous psychological burden for both those infected and health care workers. Particularly vulnerable to psychological strain are paramedics who have direct contact with and caring for patients infected with coronavirus. From a review of the literature, it is known that Emergency Medical Team members, as a result of the stress experienced during a pandemic, manifest symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. In order to limit the adverse impact of the pandemic on the mental condition of this professional group, it is necessary to create appropriate conditions for solitary rest, relaxation and satisfaction of basic needs such as: food, sleep and protective clothing. An important role is also played by unrestricted access to psychological support in the broad sense of the word and often also to psychiatric care.

Keywords: COVID -19 pandemic; anxiety; depression; paramedics; sleep disorders.