Caring amid conflict: A rapid review of Israeli nurses and health professionals mental health after the terrorist events of 7 October 2023 and ensuing state of war

To synthesize research that has explored the mental health of Israeli nurses and health professionals after the terrorist events of 7 October 2023 and ensuing state of war. A rapid review of peer reviewed studies. A search for studies written in English databases including the Web of Science Core Collection on the Clarivate platform, SocINDEX with FullText via EbscoHost platform, MEDLINE Complete via Ebscohost, APA PsychInfo via Ebscohost and CINAHL Complete. This rapid review followed the steps suggested by the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group and utilised Covidence systematic review software. After selection of relevant papers and data extraction, a narrative synthesis approach was used to identify themes. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Three core themes were identified which included; 1) Nurses and health professionals in a war zone work in a ‘shared traumatic reality’; 2) Dual experiences of adverse and positive mental health outcomes from providing care during war; 3) Conflict zone proximity contributes to mental health outcomes. The terrorist events of 7 October 2023 and ensuing state of war have had wide ranging effects on the mental health of Israeli nurses and health professionals. These nurses and health professionals continue working amid distinct stressors brought about by war, requiring ongoing research and development of strategies designed to meet their unique needs.