A Scoping Review of Policies to Supporting Healthcare Workers during Critical Conditions

Aims: During critical conditions, frontline healthcare specialists require support and protection to provide an informed response to any emergency condition. The presentstudy was conducted as a scoping review of experiences, policies, and approaches to supporting healthcare workers during long-term critical conditions, with a focus on theCOVID-۱۹ pandemic. Research method: This study was a scoping review using Arkesy and O’Malley framework in six steps. Data collection in English and Persian databases (Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, IranDoc, MagIran, and SID) was conducted using English key terms and their Persian equivalents. The content analysis method was used for data analysis. Results: From ۳۶۲۴ guidelines, articles, and regulations extracted from databases, and upon hand searching the literature, ۵۵ articles, guidelines, and reports were finally included in the study. The results of the analysis of studies led to the identification and classification of healthcare workers’ areas of support into ۱۰ groups of physical protection, mental support, education, financial support, logistics support, diagnostic measures, support for workforce families, social support, role changes and welfare support. A variety of policies can be used to support healthcare workers during emergencies and long-terms critical conditions. The findings of this study can serve as an adequate guideline for policy-makers and healthcare managers to adapt and modify support policies for the development of healthcare worker support. It is suggested that, while maintaining the workforces’ personal protection against threats, special attention be paid to their educational, psychological, and mental, financial, family, and welfare support be provided.

Keywords:

healthcare workforce , support , policy , long-term crises , COVID-۱۹