Crises in healthcare arise from acute events such as medical emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks, as well as chronic system pressures including workforce shortages, resource constraints, and organizational fragility. These disruptions undermine service continuity, compromise patient safety, and intensify psychological and operational burdens on healthcare workers. This narrative review synthesizes contemporary literature to examine the nature, sources, and impacts of healthcare crises, alongside the theoretical frameworks and intervention strategies that shape effective responses. Drawing on Caplan’s Crisis Theory, Systems Theory, and the Stress and Coping Model, the review highlights how crisis dynamics emerge from interactions between individual, organizational, and systemic vulnerabilities. Evidence indicates that crises have multidimensional consequences, including delays in care, increased morbidity, emotional distress, workforce burnout, and heightened ethical tensions. Effective crisis intervention whether through psychological support models, rapid response teams, de-escalation strategies, or organizational resilience measures relies on robust leadership, integrated communication systems, and adaptive governance. The findings emphasize that healthcare systems must strengthen preparedness, invest in resilience-building strategies, and adopt holistic approaches that incorporate digital innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and equity-focused policies. As polycrises intensify globally, enhancing the capacity to anticipate, assess, and manage crises is essential for protecting patient outcomes, supporting healthcare professionals, and sustaining high-quality care.

Keywords: Healthcare crisis, Crisis intervention, Resilience, Organizational preparedness, Psychological impact,

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