RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers in Pakistan JF Future Healthcare Journal JO Future Healthc J FD Royal College of Physicians SP e293 OP e298 DO 10.7861/fhj.2020-0193 VO 8 IS 2 A1 Babar Riaz A1 Wajid A Rafai A1 Ahmad Ussaid A1 Atif Masood A1 Sohail Anwar A1 Faisal A Baig A1 Khurram Saleem A1 Shumaila A Nasir A1 Zaima Firdous A1 Farrukh Iqbal YR 2021 UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/8/2/e293.abstract AB Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals' stamina and wellbeing. This study examines the psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals.Methods This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2020 after institutional review board approval at a tertiary care institution in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 175 healthcare workers participated following an online Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire invitation and 41 were excluded following pre-existing mental health conditions. Data was analysed using MS Excel and SPSS Amos 23. Chi-squared test and regression were applied for comparison and impact of confounding variables respectively (p<0.05 was considered significant).Results Out of 134, 66 (49%) were doctors, 24 (18%) were nurses and 44 (33%) were non-medical professionals. Ninety-five (70%) with age 21–30 years. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Overall mean depression score accounted for 6.89 ± 6.64; anxiety score was 7.28 ± 6.74 and stress score was 8.83 ± 6.93. Mild depression, anxiety and stress was noted in 21 (15.6%), eight (6%) and 27 (20.1%) healthcare workers, respectively. A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was observed among healthcare workers for depression, anxiety and stress.Conclusion This study demonstrated considerable impact of COVID-19 on mental health of healthcare workers. A well-structured targeted mental health support programme is needed urgently to support and reduce the long-term impact on healthcare workers' mental health and wellbeing.