Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40394626›Full record

SynthesisBMC health services research2025

Organizational interventions to support and promote the mental health of healthcare workers during pandemics and epidemics: a systematic review.

Emily Belita, Sarah E Neil-Sztramko, Carolyn Seale, Fangwen Zhou, Clemence Ongolo Zogo, Sheila Boamah, Jason Cabaj, Susan M Jack, Laura Banfield, Cory Neudorf and 2 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC health services research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Emily BelitaSchool of Nursing, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada. belitae@mcmaster.ca.
Sarah E Neil-SztramkoDepartment of Health Research, Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada.
Carolyn SealeSchool of Nursing, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Fangwen ZhouDepartment of Health Research, Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada.
Clemence Ongolo ZogoTemerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
Sheila BoamahSchool of Nursing, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Jason CabajDepartment of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.
Susan M JackSchool of Nursing, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Laura BanfieldHealth Sciences Library, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
Cory NeudorfCollege of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.
Gaynor Watson-CreedFaculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, 5849 University Ave, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.
Maureen DobbinsSchool of Nursing, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.

Funding

CIHR #WI2 179945
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundUnderstanding organizational mechanisms that protect the mental health of the healthcare workforce during pandemics and epidemics is critical to support decision-making related to worker health and safety. This systematic review aimed to identify organizational-level factors, strategies or interventions that support the mental health of healthcare workers during pandemics or epidemics.

methodsA comprehensive search was used, including online databases, a grey literature review, and handsearching of reference lists. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they described implementing or testing organizational-level factors, strategies or interventions to support healthcare workers' mental health during pandemics or epidemics. There were no limitations by language, publication status, or publication date. Two reviewers independently conducted screening, data extraction, data analysis and quality appraisal, with conflicts resolved through discussion or third-party arbitration. Data analysis was guided by the Job Demands-Resources Model. A narrative synthesis is presented, given the high degree of heterogeneity across studies.

resultsA total of 10,805 articles from database searches and 190 records from other sources were screened. The final review included 86 articles. Studies were of low (n = 11), moderate (n = 39), and high quality (n = 36). Regarding job demands, 40 studies explored high work pressure or heavy workload factors, with the majority investigating working hours (n = 32). Increased working hours may be associated with an increased risk of diverse mental health outcomes. Regarding job resources, leadership factors, strategies (support, appreciation, responsiveness; n = 19) and leadership interventions (n = 3) may be associated with decreased burnout, anxiety, stress, and increased well-being. The availability and adequacy of personal protective equipment (n = 20) may be associated with decreased burnout, anxiety, depression, and stress. Mixed findings were reported on associations between diverse mental health outcomes and training and education (n = 28) or peer support (n = 3). Results should be interpreted cautiously given the high heterogeneity among factors, strategies, and interventions assessed and outcomes measured.

conclusionsOrganizational-level mechanisms can critically influence the mental health of healthcare workers' during pandemics and epidemics. More focused attention is needed to explore and act on the integral role of leadership and the availability of protective equipment to support healthcare workers' mental health.

Indexed as

COVID-19EpidemicsHealth PersonnelMental HealthPandemicsBurnout, ProfessionalHumansWorkloadEpidemicsHealthcare professionalsMental healthOrganizational interventionsPandemicsSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40394626
PMCPMC12093622

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.