A preliminary study on the anxiety and depression situation and psychological intervention of the first-line medical staff in our hospital during the COVID-19 epidemic

Mental health impacts of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in Peru: Fear of contagion, generalized anxiety, and physical-cognitive fatigue

The health crisis caused by COVID-19 has resulted in the physical and emotional deterioration of health personnel, especially nurses, whose emotional state is affected by the high risk of contagion, the high demands of health services, and the exhausting working hours. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between fear, anxiety, and fatigue of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in a second level public hospital in Peru. This study presents a quantitative approach and correlational level, cross-sectional, and non-experimental design. The sample consisted of 145 nurses who attended patients with COVID-19 in health care areas. The results show a significant relationship between fear of contagion and physical-cognitive fatigue (p < 0.001; r = 317) and a significant relationship between generalized anxiety and physical-cognitive fatigue (p < 0.001; r = 480). It is concluded that in this context, both fear of contagion and generalized anxiety are related to physical-cognitive fatigue.

Turnover Intention and Its Associated Factors Among Psychiatrists in 41 Tertiary Hospitals in China During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background

Turnover intention, an employee’s intention to voluntarily leave their jobs, affects workforce sustainability. However, scarce data are available about turnover intention and its associated factors among psychiatrists in China, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current research was designed to address this gap.

Methods

An anonymous, nationwide online survey was disseminated to psychiatrists in 41 psychiatric hospitals in China. We collected demographic data, job-related information (duration of employment, history of participation in the frontline work against COVID-19, job satisfaction), and participants’ turnover intention in the next 12 months.

Results

In total, 3,973 psychiatrists completed the survey. The sample was predominantly female (58.8%) and married (79.5%), and nearly three-fourths (73.5%) had children. More than one-third (35.6%) had a master’s or doctoral degree in addition to their medical degree. The overall level of job satisfaction was moderate. The rate of turnover intention was 22.0% and was comparable in males and females (22.9% in males and 21.3% in females, respectively). Psychiatrists who had participated in the frontline work of COVID-19 were more likely to report an intention to leave their current job. Multiple regression analyses suggested that turnover intention was significantly associated with having insomnia, longer working hours, and more working days per week.

Conclusion

During the pandemic period, approximately one-fifth of psychiatrists in China reported turnover intention. Factors associated with turnover intention included high job-related burdens, low job satisfaction, participation in the frontline work against COVID-19, and insomnia. To improve psychiatric workforce sustainability, policymakers and hospital administrators need to be aware of this potential challenge and address the concerns of psychiatrists in China.

Effects of Online Psychological Crisis Intervention for Frontline Nurses in COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

The psychological problems of frontline nurses in COVID-19 prevention and control are very prominent, and targeted intervention is needed to alleviate them. This study was to assess the impact of online intervention programs on psychological crisis of anxiety, depression levels and physical symptoms among frontline nurses fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A three-stage online psychological crisis intervention program was established. The General Anxiety 7 (GAD-7) assessment, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Self-rating Somatic Symptom Scale (SSS) were used to evaluate the effect of intervention on the day before entering isolation wards (Time 1), the first day after leaving the isolation ward (Time 2), and at the end of the intervention (Time 3).

RESULTS

Sixty-two nurses completed the study, including 59 female (95.2%) and three male nurses (4.8%) with an age range of 23-49 (mean 33.37 ± 6.01). A significant (P < 0.01) difference existed in the scores of GAD-7, PHQ-9, and SSS at different intervention periods. The GAD-7 score was significantly (P < 0.001) lower at the end of quarantine period (time 3) than that before entering the isolation wards (time 1) or after leaving the isolation wards (time 2), the PHQ-9 score was significantly (P = 0.016) lower at the end of quarantine period (time 3) than that after leaving the isolation wards (time 2), and the SSS score was significantly (P < 0.001) lower at the end of quarantine period (time 3) than that before entering the isolation wards (time 1) or after leaving the isolation wards (time 2).

CONCLUSION

The three-stage online intervention program based on the psychological crisis can be effective in reducing negative emotions and somatic symptoms and improving the mental health of frontline nurses in prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. It may provide an empirical basis for psychological crisis intervention of frontline medical staff when facing public health emergencies.