The Role of Psychologists in Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Abstract. Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted individuals, communities, and whole populations. Experts across many different fields contributed their time and efforts in different ways to respond to the pandemic. Psychologists working in healthcare provided support and led many initiatives, both regionally and nationally. However, it is unknown how this has differed across Europe and its full range of activities and contributions. Aim: The current study is a survey of European member associations of EFPA, carried out to understand the current contributions and the impact those psychology contributions have had on the COVID-19 pandemic response, to share lessons learned, and to propose a roadmap for the future. Results: Overall, our study highlights how psychological expertise was integrated into many countries’ policy/decision-making, action-planning, caregiving, and the promotion of health and well-being to health professionals and the general public. Even in places where psychologists were not directly integrated into governmental systems, they played an important role in responding to this pandemic by providing their services and empirical knowledge. Discussion: Many psychologists possess the skills and tools to adapt their practice to the digital provision of services and to provide a continuity of care during the pandemic. Research carried out by psychologists has contributed important and new knowledge on pandemic effects, consequences, and interventions; yet, more research financial support is needed. We make recommendations for augmenting psychologists’ contributions in the future. In a global health crisis, where the main possible treatment is a preventive approach concentrated on sustainable behavior change, psychologists should be included every step of the way – they can make a difference.

Template for Rapid Iterative Consensus of Experts (TRICE)

“…This was commonly seen across psychology during the pandemic [49]. This is not a sustainable model and funding for rapid consensus approaches should be considered and made available in the future; a call to action made both by this group [41] and others [50]. Financial resourcing is also likely to speed up processes further, as those involved voluntarily could dedicate more time if the role was part of paid work.…”

The impact of COVID-19 on parents of autistic children with a particular focus on access to respite care

“…A study from the UK found that 86% of parents of autistic children felt a lack of government support during lockdown with 70% reporting that their daily routines were still significantly different since the pandemic began (Pavlopoulou et al , 2020). While many countries dealt with the pandemic in their own way, there were however criticisms of some countries who did not have adequate representation from mental health experts on COVID-19 advisory panels at the very beginning of the pandemic (Karekla et al , 2021; O'Connor et al , 2021). Notably, the initial contribution of mental health science was lessened relative to other areas of expertise such as virology and epidemiology; however, as the pandemic continued the mental health implications were becoming increasingly apparent.…”

“…Many governments have increased mental health funding in the wake of the pandemic; however, more sufficient investment is needed (Latoo et al , 2021). Furthermore, research advocates for mental health experts such as psychologists as integral partners in response teams when dealing with problems with a demonstrable behavioural component, either in their emergency or in their intervention phases (Karekla et al , 2021).…”

Psychological Preparedness of Psychologists during the COVID-19 Emergency: Are There Any Individual Differences?

“…Although psychological expertise has been integrated into several national policies and action plans [ 13 ], very few studies have specifically investigated the effect of the pandemic on psychologists themselves (e.g., [ 14 ]). Among these studies, the position of psychologists in supporting the medical system [ 15 ] and in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through research, practice, education, and advocacy [ 16 ] has nevertheless been widely recognised.…”