Use of psychoactive substances by night-shift hospital healthcare workers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study based in Parisian public hospitals (ALADDIN)

Alcohol use disorders among healthcare professionals: a call for action

Alcohol consumption and harmful and hazardous drinking are significant contributors to the global burden of disease, accounting for about 3 million deaths each year globally. Owing to their stressful work environment, healthcare professionals are at a high risk of experiencing physical and mental health problems, particularly alcohol use disorders. Alcohol use disorder among healthcare professionals is of concern as it is associated with decreased work productivity and performance and associated ill health and cognitive impairment. This review, therefore, aimed to gather evidence on the prevalence and associated factors for alcohol use disorders among healthcare professionals. The findings revealed a high prevalence of alcohol use disorders among healthcare professionals, which were worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, there was a glaring dearth of studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries. Urgent interventions and support systems are therefore needed to address these issues. A comprehensive approach, considering individual and organizational factors, alongside evidence-based interventions, training and support programs, can promote workforce well-being and improve the quality of patient care. It is imperative to integrate alcohol use screening, preventive and treatment interventions with primary healthcare and psychiatry services. This will help ensure early diagnosis and timely initiation of preventive and therapeutic measures, reducing the risk of missed opportunities. Furthermore, offering effective human resource management support services to healthcare professionals would significantly enhance their well-being and help prevent alcohol use disorders.

Alcohol Use and Mental Health Symptoms in Nurses during the Early Months of COVID-19

OBJECTIVE

The current study examined associations of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression, and generalized anxiety disorder [GAD] with alcohol consumption and drinking to cope in a sample of 310 nurses during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

Using a cross-sectional design, nurses completed online surveys.

RESULTS

Over 50% of the sample reported alcohol misuse and 12.2% reported drinking to cope. Further, 38.7% reported elevated symptoms of PTSD, 29.7% moderate-to-high symptoms of depression, and 56.8% elevated symptoms of GAD symptoms. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine how mental health symptoms were associated with alcohol outcomes, controlling for age, gender pronouns, education, and race. No significant predictors emerged for alcohol consumption. Significant associations of symptoms of PTSD and depression were found for drinking to cope, such that higher levels of mental health symptoms were associated with greater endorsement of drinking to cope.

CONCLUSION

Results are discussed in light of increasing prevention and support services for nurses.

Psychosocial ergonomics of the workplace of medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in three risk's dimensions: working hours, violence and the use of psychoactive drugs-a prospective pilot study

Introduction

Workplace ergonomics should also be considered in the context of psychosocial factors affecting the worker, which have a real impact on occupational risk. The present study examined psychosocial risk factors in medical personnel in three domains: working hours, violence and substance abuse.

Methods

The purpose of the present study is to assess the current state of psychosocial ergonomics of medical personnels by measuring occupational risks in the domains of: working hours, violence and psychoactive substance abuse. The survey is consisted of two parts: socio-demographic information of participants and participants' assements of psychosocial risk factors.

Results

In more than half of the respondents (52%), increased risk was identified in the domain of working hours. Nearly half of the respondents (49.6%) have an identified high risk in the domain of violence, and more than half of the respondents (52%) are at high risk in the domain of psychoactive substance abuse.

Discussion

Our findings show that the present psychosocial ergonomics of the Polish health system must be improved. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a compelling test to assess the current state. Our findings highlighted the fact that HCWs often worked overtime and that many cases of workplace violence and substance abuse were reported.

Negative representations of night-shift work and mental health of public hospital healthcare workers in the COVID-19 era (Aladdin survey)

BACKGROUND

Many risk factors impact the health of hospital night workers, which can lead to physical and mental health disorders. During the recent period, night hospital workers have been particularly stressed. This study therefore aims to: (i) To document the prevalence of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and symptoms suggestive of post-traumatic stress disorder in night shift workers (NSHW) working in Parisian public hospitals after France's first COVID-19 wave ended; (ii) To estimate the effect of negative representations and perceptions of night shift work on these mental health outcomes.

METHODS

An observational cross-sectional online survey of NSHW (June to September 2020) in 39 public hospitals in Paris, France. Standard scales were used to measure mental health outcomes. Weighted multinomial logistic regression models supported the identification of predictors of depression (score > 10 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS, for depression), anxiety (score > 10 on the HADS for anxiety), severe insomnia (score > 21 on the Insomnia Severity Index, ISI) and symptoms suggestive of post-traumatic stress disorder (score > 36 on the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, IES-R).

RESULTS

The weighted prevalence rates [95% confidence interval] of depression, anxiety, severe insomnia, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder were, respectively, 18.9% [16.5-21.2], 7.6% [6.0-9.1], 8.6% [6.9-10.2] and 11.7% [9.7-13.6]. After multiple adjustment, organizational changes in NSHW professional lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic (such as moving to another hospital department and modified schedules) and NSHW-perceived negative representations of night work were significantly associated with all studied mental health outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Our findings confirm the importance of monitoring mental health and sleep quality among NSHW in Parisian public hospitals, even more during health crises. Multilevel interventions aiming at reducing negative representations and improving work organization are urgently needed to improve overall health of this frontline healthcare providers group.

Impact of the COVID-19 crisis on healthcare workers: The need to address quality of working life issues

See relatedReply