Long-term psychological outcomes among frontline healthcare workers following the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Studies of short-term mental health (MH) outcomes among frontline (FL) healthcare workers (HCWs) during the pandemic have been extensively published and have reached dramatically variable conclusions. Long-term MH outcomes in this population have received less study. A synthesis of available data on long-term MH outcomes among FL HCWs associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is needed to inform efforts for screening, mobilizing psychiatry resources, and preparing for the long-term MH consequences of future pandemics. AIM: To determine the prevalence of MH sequelae of FL HCWs 1-3 years after the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: All studies published between March 1, 2023, and December 1, 2025, that reported on the post-pandemic MH of FL HCWs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as insomnia, stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression, were identified using PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and Web of Science. Articles identified in the search were screened using the approaches recommended by the PRISMA 2020. RESULTS: Of the 1819 articles, 1679 were excluded after review of the title and abstract, 140 were reviewed at length, and 19 were included. The available data (entirely based on symptom screening measures) suggest that FL HCWs are at risk for stress-related, anxiety, depressive, and sleep disorders at least 1 year after the end of the pandemic. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that enhanced access to psychiatry services is warranted in HCW populations exposed to pandemics.