SHILLONG: Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) has been selected as one of two North East partners in the national survey on “Mental health and social stigma among healthcare personnel involved in the management of COVID-19 patients in India” undertaken by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).
MaribonViray, associate professor of Psychology at MLCU, is the principal investigator. The other team members are Anniesha Lyngdoh, PhibawanSyiemlieh and JochananDiengdoh — all faculty members in the department of Psychology.
Regional Medical Research Centre, Dibrugarh is the second North East partner in the survey.
Ten regions across the country will be covered by institutional partners, a statement issued here said.
Healthcare personnel working in COVID-19 situations face tremendous pressure about personal safety, safety of loved ones, and shortage of equipment such as ventilators and protective gear, the ICMR said in its announcement.
“Prior studies have documented adverse psychological reactions during the 2003 SARS outbreak. These providers work across different layers of the health system, from those involved in screening, testing, quarantining and isolation care, to those involved in treating COVID-19 patients. While some of the healthcare providers function from health institutions like hospitals and quarantine facilities, there are others working in the field involved in transit and door-to-door screening and then community workers such as ANMs, ASHAs, etc.,” the Council said.
The objectives of the survey are fourfold — to assess the occurrence of psychological distress, including depression, burnout, anxiety and other associated mental health outcomes among healthcare personnel engaged in management of COVID-19, understand the extent of social stigma faced by healthcare personnel and its effect on their mental health status, identify coping mechanisms adopted by healthcare personnel to mitigate the psychological effects of handing COVID-19 infected patients and explore the perception and expectations of healthcare personnel on interventions that could mitigate the stigma associated with the COVID-19.
The survey will be completed and report submitted by July 10. The results of this cross-sectional study will enable the formulation and implementation of intervention strategies for healthcare personnel for coping with psychological challenges thus, aiding COVID-care management, the statement said.