EBP: Evidence Based Practice Literature Review: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Occupational Therapy Services and Mental Health of Occupational Therapists

Healthcare workers are under an increased amount of stress when compared to their norm, as it would be with any other pandemic [2]. Because of an increased workload and increased amount of stress, healthcare workers are subject to many different types of stress including health-, psychological-, and financial-related stress [2]. Occupational therapists are not necessarily the first line-of-defense for COVID-19 treatment, there are many negative effects experienced by not only the therapists themselves but also their patients [2]. Not all occupational therapists have experienced negative effects; however, it is important to note that all occupational therapists have either had their life or practice affected in some way [2]. Some negative effects that have been reported include mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation