Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, was a guest on Sabah Newspaper Health Editor Didem Seymen’s Instagram live broadcast. In the program organized within the scope of March 14 Medicine Day, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan made evaluations on "The Pandemic and the Psychology of Healthcare Workers," stating, “Our healthcare system passed a successful test during the pandemic.”
“The Value of Healthcare Workers Was Better Understood During the Pandemic”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan touched upon the situation of healthcare workers during the pandemic. Tarhan said: “Unfortunately, we lost approximately 400 healthcare workers during the pandemic. I still show these healthcare workers as an example to people who do not believe in the pandemic. They are doing what their job requires, working for the good of Turkey. I hope that prejudices in society regarding healthcare workers have also been broken during this process. Because a healthcare worker is the one who causes a person to heal, like the hand of the creator. At the beginning of the pandemic, a healthcare worker in Ukraine was not wanted by a group of neighbors, but other people there welcomed him with applause. Awareness on this issue has been created all over the world; this epidemic taught us all a lot.”
“The Importance of Healthcare Investments Was Understood Today”
Tarhan, stating that the pandemic process was a crisis, touched upon the studies they conducted on this matter. Tarhan stated: “At the beginning of the epidemic at our university, we conducted a survey on 6,300 people through an epidemiological study. This survey is a psychosocial study where we examined perceptions related to the pandemic. In our study, we measured perceptions, anxieties, fears, and psychosocial maturity related to the pandemic and compiled them into a book. Life is like a chain; crises are situations that stretch that chain. The strongest part of the chain is its weakest link; breaks and separations occur from there. During the pandemic process, disruptions occurred wherever society was weak. Our healthcare system passed a very good test during this period. The importance of timely investments in healthcare was understood today. It is very important that everyone can benefit from the healthcare system with general health insurance. As a social state, we provided this beautifully. We need to continue this in the best way possible. The healthcare system gave a great test for us. Of course, there were shortcomings at first, but they were quickly overcome.”
“An Increase in Psychological Disorders is Anticipated Post-Pandemic”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that psychological problems increased during the pandemic, and routines must be maintained to counter this. Tarhan said: “Every pandemic has a psychological consequence. We need to turn the pandemic into an opportunity. It is not the wind that flies the kite, but the position the kite takes. In such situations, if we individually think negatively, our immunity levels are adversely affected. We will focus on what is most positive for ourselves and continue our daily routines. We don't skip work just because it's raining; we take precautions accordingly. We will try to maintain our routine in the pandemic in the same way.”
“Humans Do Not Dominate Nature; They Cannot Control Everything”
Tarhan stated that uncertainty was the most challenging thing for people during the pandemic process; “Healthcare workers and their families who maintained social distance but never created psychological distance will overcome this process unaffected. Most families maintained contact through video calls during this period. I believe young people will easily adapt to life after the pandemic. Only very anxious individuals will be negatively affected by this process. The human desire to control can sometimes negatively impact them. Humans do not dominate nature; they cannot control everything. We need to accept that we cannot control everything and continue life that way.”
“The Pandemic Made Us Realize Ungrateful Feelings.”
Tarhan also added that the pandemic matured people; “The pandemic process reminded us to recognize ungrateful feelings within ourselves and to be grateful for what we have. In my opinion, when the pandemic ends, it will have left very positive effects on people. One can emerge from trauma by learning lessons. Trauma should not be seen as an enemy; instead, we should think about how we can direct it towards good. It's not about making peace with the pandemic, but about walking alongside it. Instead of thinking we will return to pre-pandemic times, we need to act with the idea that we will continue with a new way of life.”