Physical health and psychosocial considerations during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak

In addition to the respiratory damage caused by pulmonary fibrosis, patients will face psychiatric and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Having said this, respiratory rehabilitation for patients after COVID-19 will also and, above all, have to take into account psychological well-being issues. To date, there are no standard rehabilitation protocols, but given the large number of patients, it will be necessary to integrate and modulate the new respiratory rehabilitation protocols together with a psychological treatment program that should not be underestimated for the success of the therapy. In addition, health care professionals are put to the test during these situations of great health emergencies, thus developing the probability of being subject to psychosocial disorders because of accumulated stress in the workplace. One of the most significant and little investigated aspects is the psychological stress related to the emergency. Often, health care workers have to face intensive shifts with the adoption of personal protective equipment that put the subject's physical and psychological endurance to the test. To face this problem and guarantee the psychophysical well-being of employees, health care facilities must guarantee the adoption of preventive and protective measures, including psychological support through dedicated pathways.