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Berger-Estilita J, Salvisberg D, Köselerli E, Haupt S, Meço BC. Impact of Burnout on Anaesthesiologists. Turk J Anaesthesiol Reanim 2024; 52:54-59. [PMID: 38700106 DOI: 10.4274/tjar.2024.241565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Professional burnout syndrome (PBS) is an issue affecting individuals and organizations alike, characterized by emotional exhaustion and reduced effectiveness resulting from overwhelming work demands. Root causes include excessive workload, unrealistic expectations, and blurred work-life boundaries, which are often intensified by organizational culture and inadequate support systems. The consequences range from decreased productivity and creativity to high turnover rates and financial strain on organizations. Mitigating PBS requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both individual and organizational levels. Individually, stress management techniques and self-care practices are crucial for building resilience and coping with work-related stressors. Organizations play a vital role in promoting employee well-being by fostering a supportive work environment, promoting work-life balance and providing access to support systems such as counseling and mentorship programs. Leadership is key in creating a culture that values employee health and prioritizes open communication and empathy. Policy interventions can further support efforts to combat PBS by enforcing labor laws that protect employee rights, such as setting limits on working hours and ensuring access to mental health services. Additionally, incentivise organizations to prioritize employee well-being through tax incentives or certification programs can encourage proactive measures against burnout. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive exploration of PBS, examining its causes, consequences, and potential mitigation strategies in individuals and organizations, with a focus on anaesthesiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Berger-Estilita
- Hirslanden Medical Group Salem Spital, Institute of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Bern, Switzerland
- University of Bern, Institute for Medical Education, Bern, Switzerland
- University of Porto Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Ekin Köselerli
- Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, İbn-i Sina Hospital, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Stefan Haupt
- Hirslanden Medical Group Salem Spital, Institute of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Başak Ceyda Meço
- Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, İbn-i Sina Hospital, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Ankara, Turkey
- Ankara University Brain Research Center (AÜBAUM), Ankara, Turkey
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Culmann AC, Baranowski AM, Matthias JK, Tüttenberg SC, Belschner W, Erim Y, Morawa E, Beschoner P, Jerg-Bretzke L, Albus C, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Reuter M, Geiser F. Spirituality and anxiety in pastoral care workers and physicians in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1354044. [PMID: 38528972 PMCID: PMC10961463 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1354044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic had serious impact on the well-being of health care workers and highlighted the need for resources to help hospital staff to cope with psychologically negative consequences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potentially protective effect of spirituality, as measured by the construct of transpersonal trust, against anxiety in physicians and in hospital pastoral care workers. In addition, transpersonal trust was compared to the effects of other potential resources, namely sense of coherence, optimism, and resilience. We also explored the relationship between transpersonal trust and anxiety and how it was moderated by sense of coherence and expected a significant effect. Method The sample included N = 405 participants (n = 151 pastoral care workers and n = 254 physicians) who completed an online survey during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic between 20th April and 05th July, 2020, that comprised established questionnaires assessing anxiety, transpersonal trust, sense of coherence, and resilience. Results There was no statistically significant negative relationship between transpersonal trust and anxiety in either profession or broken down by occupational group. Multiple regression analysis revealed that sense of coherence inversely predicted generalized anxiety, while transpersonal trust, resilience, and optimism did not. As hypothesized, the association between transpersonal trust and anxiety was moderated by sense of coherence. However, we could not confirm our hypothesis of a protective effect of transpersonal trust against anxiety. Conclusion Our results point to the significant role of sense of coherence as a protective factor against anxiety and highlight the complexity of the relationship among spirituality, transpersonal trust, and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C. Culmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas M. Baranowski
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia-K. Matthias
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simone C. Tüttenberg
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Bonn, Germany
| | - Wilfried Belschner
- Department of Psychology, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Petra Beschoner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hospital Christophsbad, Göppingen, Germany
| | - Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Cologne, Germany
| | - Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Reuter
- Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Bonn, Germany
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Alonso MS, Lima MCP, Dias A, Camacho-Vega JC, García-Iglesias JJ, Ruiz-Frutos C, Bernardes JM, Gómez-Salgado J. Psychological distress among Brazilian workers during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1283310. [PMID: 38439755 PMCID: PMC10910103 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1283310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background COVID-19 pandemic imposed drastic and abrupt changes to working environment and organization and that might have caused additional negative effects on mental health. Thus, this study aimed to quantify and assess the severity of psychological distress experienced by Brazilian essential and nonessential workers during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This descriptive study included 2,903 participants who answered an online questionnaire between April and May 2020. The research questionnaire was translated and culturally adapted to the Brazilian population from a questionnaire developed and validated for the Spanish population. Variables were analyzed using simple and cumulative percentage distributions and measures of central tendency and dispersion. The Wilson score interval was used to calculate confidence interval (CI) for the main outcome, psychological distress. Results It was observed a high prevalence (72.6%) of psychological distress among the study's participants. They also presented a median risk perception score of 60 (out of a maximum of 90), and their greatest concern was transmitting the virus to family members, close contacts or patients. Furthermore, it was found a lower sense of coherence and work engagement among the participants than those observed in previous studies conducted in other countries. Conclusion Almost three quarters of the study's participants were classified as presenting psychological distress. Thus, it is imperative to provide mental health remotely delivered interventions to workers during public health events that require prolonged social distancing measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Spröesser Alonso
- Public/Collective Health Graduate Program, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Pereira Lima
- Public/Collective Health Graduate Program, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Adriano Dias
- Public/Collective Health Graduate Program, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Juan Carlos Camacho-Vega
- Department of Architectural Construction II, Higher Technical School of Building Engineering, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Juan Jesus García-Iglesias
- Faculty of Labour Sciences, Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Public Health, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Carlos Ruiz-Frutos
- Faculty of Labour Sciences, Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Public Health, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - João Marcos Bernardes
- Public/Collective Health Graduate Program, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Juan Gómez-Salgado
- Faculty of Labour Sciences, Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Public Health, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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Antar M, Ullerich H, Zaruchas A, Meier T, Diller R, Pannewick U, Dhayat SA. Long-Term Quality of Life after COVID-19 Infection: Cross-Sectional Study of Health Care Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:235. [PMID: 38397724 PMCID: PMC10887886 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
(1) Background: Post-COVID syndrome is defined as symptoms that occur simultaneously with or after a COVID-19 infection, last for 12 weeks, and are not due to another diagnosis. Limited data are available on people's long-term quality of life following a COVID-19 infection. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the long-term quality of life after COVID-19 among employees of a hospital in Germany and to identify risk factors. (2) Methods: A monocentric, cross-sectional study was conducted using the validated and digitized WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire via Netigate® between 10/2022 and 02/2023. Data on the quality of life and global health status were collected in the following four domains: physical health, mental health, social relationships, and the environment. (3) Results: The response rate was 73.8 % (923/1250). Furthermore, 63.4 % of the hospital staff respondents reported at least one persistent symptom after a COVID-19 infection, leading to significant differences in quality of life. Pre-existing conditions, persistent symptoms, and disabilities after a COVID-19 infection as well as a high BMI, no partnership, and a low educational level were found to significantly contribute to a low long-term quality of life. (4) Conclusions: Obesity, a lack of partnership, and a low level of education were independent risk factors for a lower quality of life post-COVID-19 infection in this cohort of hospital staff. Further multicenter studies are required to validate the incidence and their suitability as independent risk factors for post-COVID syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moussa Antar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Pneumology, Brüderkrankenhaus St. Josef Paderborn, Husener Straße 46, 33098 Paderborn, Germany; (M.A.); (A.Z.); (U.P.)
| | - Hansjoerg Ullerich
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Infectiology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1 (A14), 48149 Muenster, Germany;
| | - Andreas Zaruchas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Pneumology, Brüderkrankenhaus St. Josef Paderborn, Husener Straße 46, 33098 Paderborn, Germany; (M.A.); (A.Z.); (U.P.)
| | - Torsten Meier
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Operative Intensive Care Medicine, and Pain Therapy, Brüderkrankenhaus St. Josef Paderborn, Husener Straße 46, 33098 Paderborn, Germany;
| | - Ricarda Diller
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Brüderkrankenhaus St. Josef Paderborn, Husener Straße 46, 33098 Paderborn, Germany;
| | - Ulrich Pannewick
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Pneumology, Brüderkrankenhaus St. Josef Paderborn, Husener Straße 46, 33098 Paderborn, Germany; (M.A.); (A.Z.); (U.P.)
| | - Sameer A. Dhayat
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Brüderkrankenhaus St. Josef Paderborn, Husener Straße 46, 33098 Paderborn, Germany;
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Lanzara R, Conti C, Rosa I, Pawłowski T, Malecka M, Rymaszewska J, Porcelli P, Stein B, Waller C, Müller MM. Changes in hospital staff' mental health during the Covid‑19 pandemic: Longitudinal results from the international COPE-CORONA study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285296. [PMID: 37972086 PMCID: PMC10653404 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This longitudinal study aimed to explore anxiety and depressive symptoms, individual resources, and job demands in a multi-country sample of 612 healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two online surveys were distributed to HCWs in seven countries (Germany, Andorra, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Romania, Iran) during the first (May-October 2020, T1) and the second (February-April 2021, T2) phase of the pandemic, assessing sociodemographic characteristics, contact with COVID-19 patients, anxiety and depressive symptoms, self-compassion, sense of coherence, social support, risk perception, and health and safety at the workplace. HCWs reported a significant increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms. HCWs with high depressive or anxiety symptoms at T1 and T2 reported a history of mental illness and lower self-compassion and sense of coherence over time. Risk perception, self-compassion, sense of coherence, and social support were strong independent predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms at T2, even after controlling for baseline depressive or anxiety symptoms and sociodemographic variables. These findings pointed out that HCWs during the COVID-19 outbreak experienced a high burden of psychological distress. The mental health and resilience of HCWs should be supported during disease outbreaks by instituting workplace interventions for psychological support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Lanzara
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Chiara Conti
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ilenia Rosa
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Tomasz Pawłowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Monika Malecka
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Piero Porcelli
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Barbara Stein
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Paracelsus Medical University, General Hospital Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Christiane Waller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Paracelsus Medical University, General Hospital Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Markus M Müller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Paracelsus Medical University, General Hospital Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany
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Jung G, Oh J. Factors Affecting Health-Related Quality of Life among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 59:medicina59010038. [PMID: 36676662 PMCID: PMC9866756 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Healthcare workers are threatened by psychological well-being and mental health problems in disasters related to new infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, and this can also have a negative impact on health-related quality of life. Health-related quality of life of healthcare workers should not be neglected because it is closely related to patient safety. This study aimed to identify the relationship between mental health problems, psychological safety, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life of healthcare workers and factors that influence health-related quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 301 healthcare workers working in five general hospitals with more than 300 beds in two provinces from 5 July 2021 to 16 July 2021. Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 27.0. The data were analyzed using t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: Our results showed that there was a significant difference in regular exercise, religion, economic status, and sleep quality. The DASS-21 stress, economic status, and alcohol consumption were factors affecting the total health-related quality of life. In the subcategories, the physical component score was influenced by DASS-21 stress and economic status, while the mental component score was influenced by DASS-21 depression, economic status, alcohol consumption, and sleep quality. Conclusions: Health care workers need continuous and active monitoring of their health level and quality of life, as they are at a risk of increasing work burden and infection due to prolonged exposure to COVID-19 as well as mental health issues such as stress and depression. Additionally, at the individual level, active participation in various programs that can raise awareness of health-related quality of life along with physical health promotion activities should be encouraged. At the organizational level, it is necessary to prepare a compensation system, such as adjusting the workload of healthcare workers and ensuring break time; at the government level, disaster-related policies are needed to ensure a safe working environment for health care workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyehyun Jung
- Department of Nursing, Jeonbuk Science College, Jeongeup 56204, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Oh
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health, Kongju National University, Kongju 32588, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-41-850-0301; Fax: +82-41-850-0315
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Gómez-Salgado J, Arias-Ulloa CA, Ortega-Moreno M, García-Iglesias JJ, Escobar-Segovia K, Ruiz-Frutos C. Sense of Coherence in Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ecuador: Association With Work Engagement, Work Environment and Psychological Distress Factors. Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1605428. [PMID: 36545403 PMCID: PMC9760665 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1605428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the association between the sense of coherence, work engagement, and psychological distress in healthcare workers in Ecuador during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study in a sample of 803 healthcare professionals from all regions of Ecuador between 2 April and 17 May 2020. A self-administered questionnaire was used, which contained sociodemographic and work environment variables, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13). Results: The mean value of sense of coherence was M = 65.04; SD = 12.74; for work engagement, it was M = 39.36; SD = 10.53; and for psychological distress, M = 4.58; SD = 3.44. There is a positive correlation (p < 0.01) between the sense of coherence and work engagement, and a negative correlation with psychological distress. Conclusion: During the pandemic in Ecuador, healthcare professionals have suffered a major deterioration of their mental health. Sense of coherence has been associated with work engagement and psychological distress. They have perceived a worsening of the quality of care and working conditions compared to those existing before COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Gómez-Salgado
- Department of Sociology Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain,Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Cristian Arturo Arias-Ulloa
- Faculty of Engineering in Mechanics and Production Sciences, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Guayaquil, Ecuador,*Correspondence: Cristian Arturo Arias-Ulloa, ; Juan Jesús García-Iglesias,
| | | | - Juan Jesús García-Iglesias
- Department of Sociology Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain,*Correspondence: Cristian Arturo Arias-Ulloa, ; Juan Jesús García-Iglesias,
| | - Kenny Escobar-Segovia
- Faculty of Engineering in Earth Sciences, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Carlos Ruiz-Frutos
- Department of Sociology Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain,Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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Babicki M, Kowalski K, Bogudzińska B, Mastalerz-Migas A. Alterations in mental health and quality of life among healthcare workers in times of COVID-19: Four-stage cross-sectional study during first four pandemic waves in Poland. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1027734. [PMID: 36506428 PMCID: PMC9729733 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1027734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had many unexpected effects that have affected the mental health of healthcare workers. In response to the crisis, healthcare workers appear to be the most vulnerable to the psychological effects of the pandemic. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and healthcare workers' quality of life during the different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods The questionnaire was distributed in four stages corresponding to the different waves of the pandemic in Poland. The last stage of the study covered the period from November 1, 2021 to November 31, 2021 which coincided with the fourth wave of COVID-19 in Poland. The Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Generalized Anxiety Disorderd-7 (GAD-7), and Manchester Brief Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) scales were used. Results A total of 1,243 respondents participated. A gradual increase in moderate and severe anxiety was observed as the pandemic continued, comparing waves I and IV of the pandemic. No statistically significant differences were observed in comparing the mean values of the BDI-II, GAD-7, and MANSA scales across waves. A decrease in fear due to the disease and neighbor's quarantine was found. Women, single people and those with a psychiatric history are more likely to be affected by the destructive impact of the pandemic. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic is significantly affecting the mental health and quality of life of healthcare workers, but trend is not uniform. It is necessary to continue monitoring the mental health of medical workers, who are the most important link in the fight against the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Babicki
- Department of Family Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kowalski
- Division of Consultation Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
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Abegglen S, Greif R, Fuchs A, Berger-Estilita J. COVID-19-Related Trajectories of Psychological Health of Acute Care Healthcare Professionals: A 12-Month Longitudinal Observational Study. Front Psychol 2022; 13:900303. [PMID: 35846720 PMCID: PMC9280365 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.900303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic hit healthcare professionals (HCPs) hard, potentially leading to mental health deterioration. This longitudinal study investigated the 1-year evolution of psychological health of acute care HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic and explored possible differences between high and low resilient HCPs. From April 2020 to April 2021, a convenience sample of 520 multinational HCPs completed an online survey every 3 months, up to five times. We used mixed linear models to examine the association between resilience and the variation of COVID-19-related anxiety, depressiveness, perceived vulnerability, and psychological trauma symptomatology. We demonstrated "u-shaped" trajectories for all mental health symptoms. We also explored differences in the abovementioned variables between front-line and second-line acute care HCPs. In contrast to HCP.s with lower levels of resilience (-1SD), those with higher levels of resilience (+1SD) showed increased COVID-19 anxiety and perceived vulnerability over time. Front-line and second-line HCPs differed in their depressiveness and psychological trauma variation during the 1-year analysis. High and average resilient second-line HCPs showed steeper depressiveness increases with time than high and average resilient front-line HCPs. Acute care HCPs reported their most elevated clinical symptoms of depressiveness (5-7%) and psychological trauma symptomatology (26-46%) in April 2020. During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, second-line HCPs with more resilience showed a steeper worsening of their depressiveness than more resilient front-line HCPs. HCPs with low resilience may benefit from interventions at the beginning of a pandemic, whereas HCPs with high resilience might benefit from resilience-enhancing interventions at later phases. Trial Registration The study protocol was pre-registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN13694948) published (Fuchs et al., 2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Abegglen
- Department of Health Psychology and Behavioural Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Robert Greif
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Bern University Hospital (Inselspital), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- School of Medicine, Sigmund Freud University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Fuchs
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Bern University Hospital (Inselspital), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joana Berger-Estilita
- Institute for Medical Education, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- CINTESIS - Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, Porto, Portugal
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