Exploring healthcare workers’ perceptions and experiences regarding post-traumatic stress disorder after 2 years of the last global pandemic

Our findings reveal a concerning picture of the mental health status of Iranian HCWs, particularly regarding the impact of the most recent pandemic. Many participants reported significant symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, all of which profoundly affect their overall well-being. The most prominent themes identified were feelings of helplessness, inadequate risk management, encounters with life-and-death situations, and insufficient support systems. Alarmingly, several HCWs expressed intentions to leave their current positions or exit the healthcare profession altogether. Such trends pose a serious threat to the stability of Iran's healthcare system. Consequently, proactive, solution-oriented strategies must be developed-both at the national level and in collaboration with international stakeholders-to mitigate the ongoing healthcare workforce shortage in Iran and address the broader global risk of healthcare service disruption.