SEATTLE — The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on healthcare workers across the globe. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are working long hours and seeing the effects of the virus firsthand.
Dr. Haylie Quinn, a psychologist at Swedish, has been doing what she can to support frontline healthcare workers.
“These are folks who have trained their careers for this and prepared,” Dr. Quinn said. “But when it really happens, I think it brings up a lot of different emotions that sometimes catch us off guard or that we’re not quite equipped in our day-to-day life to deal with.”
Healthcare workers are often caring for patients and dealing with crisis situations the entirety of their shifts, so it can be difficult for them to process emotions until they get home.
“Caregivers are helpers,” Dr. Quinn said. “They care about their patients and want to be able to be there with them and support them. It’s really difficult to not be able to process those emotions in the moment.”
Medical professionals are also dealing with the emotional toll of seeing many COVID-19 patients die alone. Dr. Quinn says those feelings can range from utter grief to honor and gratitude to be able to be with those patients in their time of need.
Not only are healthcare workers facing emotions from the nature of their work, but they are also dealing with other stressors many are facing right now, including access to childcare and economic concerns.
Swedish is offering vital resources to help these employees, including:
Behavioral Health Concierge: This service provides same-day or next-day access to highly-skilled, licensed mental health professionals, by video or phone. It is a confidential virtual service, offered exclusively to caregivers and their dependents. Confidential same-day or next-day appointments available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. via video or phone. Call 1-833-724-9355 to make an appointment.
The Gratitude Garden: Help Swedish recognize and appreciate healthcare heroes by sending a special note to caregivers and all of the brave heroes on the front lines. Your messages are sent directly to caregivers and will help bring moments of peace and comfort during this stressful time. Send a note to the Gratitude Garden.
Sponsored by Swedish. Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest 11 AM weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.