Introduction

COVID-19 has changed the world and the profile, importance, and management of many diseases worldwide for ever. Since the declaration of SARS-CoV 2 as a global pandemic early in March 2020 by the WHO and despite universal lockdown procedures, the world has not been able to contain the spread of the virus. Currently, with the distribution of the first vaccines in the United Kingdom and the USA, new COVID cases, as part of the second wave, are making headlines in many countries including South Africa. The ongoing pandemic with its demands on healthcare workers and first line responders, is taking its toll on everybody involved in the care and services of COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the mental well-being of all frontline workers, providing essential services in clinics and hospitals, are foremost at risk as they are in daily contact with sick patients in a potentially life-threatening situation.

For them it is not only a matter of social distancing. In essence, it is finding a way to survive within their professional and ethical obligation to render a service to the sick and needy. This might trigger a variety of emotions.

Healthcare providers (HCPs) might suffer from panic attacks to anxiety and depression, anger and having sudden unexplained emotional outbursts. HCPs play an ongoing pivotal role in managing the epidemic. We should make special provision to support them in managing their mental resilience. This course will focus on engagement and activities to minimise the effect of this pervasive epidemic on HCPs. This e-learning course will guide all HCPs on taking simple steps to ensure that they stay mentally fit and healthy.

Who Should Enroll

All Healthcare Providers (HCPs) involved in providing essential and ongoing services to sick patients during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Course Design

Online e-learning education through interactive learning activities, videos, presentations and articles. The course is designed in such a way that different topics are covered in 5 modules in order to maintain and improve mental resilience for HCPs during the lockdown period and after the lifting of restrictions imposed to combat COVID-19.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of this learning experience, participants should be able to:

1. Discuss COVID-19 in the global context.
2. Explain the psychological reactions to COVID-19
3. Explain the strategies and methods to manage stress and build resilience.
4. Integrate the psychological aspects of COVID-19 into patient care.
5. Analyze and relate the consequences of COVID-19 and its aftermath to our psychological well-being going forward.

Course Content

The following modules are covered in this short course:

Module 1 – Introduction:

• The world beyond Corona.

• Introduction on the effect of lockdown on mental well-being
• COVID-related stressors of frontline workers
• Delving deeper into mental health well-being during COVID-19

• Managing Stress: Tips for Coping with the Stress during COVID-19.
• Managing burnout – How to recognize and cope with burn-out
• Managing frontline workers stress associated with COVID-19 and creating resilience
• Integrating Mindfulness and Meditation in a daily routine
• COVID self-care plan

• Psychological needs of COVID-19 patients
• Managing teenagers and children during COVID-19
• Psychological effects of quarantine

• The psychological aftermath after COVID-19

Certification

To qualify for the certificate of completion for this short course, participants should complete the MCQs and have a pass rate of at least 70%. The course is accredited for 15 CPD points on level 2.

Course Fee

Funding was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through Right to Care a leading regional South African health systems strengthening organization.

Contact

For administrative and content related enquiries, please contact:
Dr Margot Uys
Head: School of Health Sciences
Foundation for Professional Development
Email: healthscience@foundation.co.za
For technical support, please contact our technical support staff:
Tel: +27 12 111 7001
Email: support@ps.studio