Noted Neuropsychologist Warns of Pandemic's Harm to Frontline Healthcare Workers

NEW YORK - July 2, 2020 - PRLog -- In its July 2020 issue, Hospital Peer Review, a prestigious medical industry publication addresses the potential for PTSD overcoming healthcare workers as a result of the pandemic.

The featured story,  "Watch for PTSD in healthcare workers following their COVID-19 experience" that cations tens of thousands of American doctors, nurses, EMTs, Paramedics, and other hospital and industry professionals are among those on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 are at risk.

Dr. Wilfred Van Gorp Ph.D., a neuropsychologist, with over a quarter-century of experience, in assessing individuals with mental, psychological, and neurological issues, and has evaluated thousands of people, with ADHD, traumatic brain injuries, and memory impartment details the negative psychological effects that healthcare workers face.

He says "Physicians and other frontline healthcare workers will soon show PTSD symptoms similar to what first responders developed after responding to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001."

Dr. Van Gorp leads the Cognitive Assessment Group in New York City and Chicago.

He adds, "The effects will be different because with 9/11 there was one single event and ripple effects. With the pandemic, we have this amorphous, ongoing crisis. But just like with 9/11, I would expect to see some trauma-like reactions, either full-blown PTSD or some of the symptoms, along with anxiety and mood disorders. For some people, these symptoms will happen right away. For other people, the response might be delayed by three or six months."

Van Gorp suggests the need for special attention to the mental wellbeing of healthcare workers.  "Providing them with a list of therapists who are in-network for the insurance but not employed by the facility is the best scenario. Physicians have a hard time opening up about their work experience to a counselor who is employed by the same organization. That will be especially true if part of their stress is rooted in how the employer responded to the crisis or failed to support employees in some way."

For more information on Dr. Van Gorp: https://www.cognitive-assessment.com/

T (https://www.cognitive-assessment.com/)o read his thoughts in Hospital Peer Review: https://www.reliasmedia.com/articles/146372-watch-for-ptsd-in-healthcare-workers-following-their-covid-19-experience