Health professionals and faculty during the webinar.
Doha: The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for health professionals programme at QU-Health organised recently an interactive webinar entitled “How are you coping with the ‘New Normal’?”
The seminar aimed to identify major pressures and emotions associated with facing these unprecedented times in light of a global pandemic, especially for healthcare professionals who continue to dedicate themselves to caring for their communities during COVID-19. The webinar also highlighted prevailing discussion among local health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and explored evidence-based strategies that can aid in energy management.
Clinicians are facing important emotional stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic, including grief from seeing so many patients suffer, fears of contracting the virus and infecting their family members, and anger over systems' failures. For some, these stressors have caused or exacerbated burnout, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, there is a strong consensus that immediate and continued action is needed to strengthen the emotional health of clinicians.
To contribute to these efforts, QU-Health arranged this free interactive CPD webinar that aimed to recognise and discuss the significant stressors and associated emotions prevalent among local health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Suhad Daher-Nashif, Assistant professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences in the College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, co-presenter in the session, explained that, “During these times, many people have been offered flexible working arrangements, however, medical workers still had to do their jobs and it takes a toll on a person to be there and face this pandemic and then still go home and figure out what their new normal is and take care of their own family.”
She said, “Being able to manage the significant stressors by being aware of them enables developing coping strategies that are essential in maintaining a healthy mental wellbeing.”
Taysier El-Gaili, Health Counselling Psychologist at Qatar University, commented that, “As the reports of COVID-19 cases begin to ebb, what’s left is emotional trauma and stress. Recovering from the mental toll of the pandemic is going to take time and a collective effort, and it should start by helping those who have been on the front lines: medical workers.”
Dr Zachariah Nazar, QU-H CPD coordinator, explained that, “As a community we need to work together by sharing our experiences and skills; and come to our healing. I think we are all just adjusting and trying to manage the best we can. It's efforts such as these CPD opportunities that can equip individuals with valuable tools to help ease some of the emotional burden.”
This QU-Health CPD event was specifically designed in response to the challenges identified in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is one of numerous efforts that are being offered to healthcare professionals to support the development and wellbeing of healthcare workers and the subsequent care they provide to their patients.
