THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND ITS IMPACT ON PATIENT CARE: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

Hatim Gormallah Alzahrani*

Background: The psychological well-being of healthcare professionals is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor affecting both the quality of care provided to patients and the efficiency of healthcare systems. The COVID-19 pandemic and global economic challenges have exacerbated stress, burnout, and mental health concerns among medical personnel. Despite numerous efforts to address these issues, the link between healthcare professionals' well-being and patient experiences remains underexplored.

Methods: This scoping review follows the framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and updated by Levac et al. (2010). The review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and PsycINFO. A broad search strategy was employed to identify studies exploring healthcare professionals' psychological wellbeing, patient perceptions of care, and the relationship between the two. Studies focusing on administrators or non-clinical staff were excluded. Data extraction and synthesis were performed using thematic analysis.

Results: A total of 15 studies were included in the final review, covering various healthcare settings and professional groups. The findings highlighted five key themes: (1) defining psychological well-being in healthcare professionals, (2) the impact of healthcare work on mental health, (3) organizational influences on well-being, (4) effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and (5) the relationship between staff well-being and patient care experiences. The review found that while organizational support and professional development contributed positively to well-being, factors such as burnout, lack of autonomy, and emotional labor negatively affected healthcare professionals. The absence of patient perspectives in most studies was a notable gap.

Conclusion: Healthcare professionals' psychological well-being is closely linked to the quality of patient care, yet significant challenges remain in defining and addressing these issues. Future research should incorporate patient perspectives and explore interventions to support healthcare workers' mental health. Organizations must foster a culture that prioritizes well-being to improve patient outcomes and workforce sustainability.