Table 4.

Subthemes, code and related Quotations of the Mental Health Considerations theme

Sub-themes	Codes	Quotations
Stage-wise approach	Early exposure High level of anxiety and fear and powerlessness Impaired communication with colleagues and family Losing control	I was very anxious; I was afraid of getting infected and dying (Nurse) I thought there was nothing I could do; it didn't matter if I was there or not (Physician) We are not used to this kind of work and life. Our communication at work has decreased a lot, and not seeing relatives has a very negative effect (Nurse)
	Crisis peak Futility Helplessness Hopelessness High level of losing control Frustrataion Physically and emotionally exhausted	The number of patients who die is much higher than what we are used to in the ward. Our patients usually do not die (Nurse) When I see my efforts making no difference, I feel more tired, it became exhausting (Physician) Some days I cry for an hour after the shift. It is really depressing to see patients die while you did a lot to help them (Nurse)
	Long term effects Persistent fear of getting infected Symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder Feeling sad Reactivation of earlier fears as patient numbers resurge	Although we are used to working in this situation, we are still worried about getting the infection and transmitting it to our family members (Physician) Some nights I have nightmares, I see that my patients are dying and I have done nothing (Nurse) I'm still not feeling well and I feel very sad. Why did this happen and (why did) this disease killed so many people? (Nurse) Some nurses cried when the number of patients rose again, working with recurring level of stress is very hard (Manger)
Individual-centered considerations	Personal differences People have abilities Some people are more sensitive Some people need a lot of counseling and support	Personnel are different. Some are stronger and have more experience. We had a nurse who cried and said she was afraid to enter the ward. We also had a nurse who volunteered to work (taking on extra workload) instead of others (Hospital Manager) Novice and inexperienced employees were very scared. Employees who couldn't find a place for their children to stay away from for a while have (major worries and) stress for their children (Hospital manager) After this, I have to be on leave for a while so that I can return to this job. I have to be very far from the hospital, illness and death (Nurse) Some personnel suffered panic attacks. They couldn't come to work. Some were depressed by the death of their patients. Some still can't adapt (Physician)