These findings highlight the need for greater support and educational intervention during such crises.
In a related commentary, Kang Sim and Hong Choon Chua stress the need for further research into the psychosocial impact of infectious disease outbreaks. Front-line health care workers are often in real danger of becoming infected by emerging infectious diseases -- in the case of SARS, 20% of the 8400 people infected worldwide were health care workers.
p. 793 Psychosocial effects of SARS on hospital staff: survey on a large tertiary care institution
-- L.A Nickell et al
p. 811 The psychological impact of SARS: a matter of heart and mind
-- K. Sim, H.C. Chua
Canadian Medical Association Journal