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Huber C, Schorro E, Hofstetter-Hefti G, Jubin J, Delmas P, Bachmann AO, Gilles I, Bucher CO. [Nurses' health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: A longitudinal study with mixed methods design]. Pflege 2024. [PMID: 39194019 DOI: 10.1024/1012-5302/a001009] [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: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Nurses' health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: A longitudinal study with mixed methods design Abstract: Background: The COVID19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare systems worldwide. Nurses have played a crucial role in responding to the crisis, often at the expense of their own health and wellbeing. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the physical and mental health status as well as the resources of certified nurses during the pandemic, in German-speaking Switzerland. Methods: In a longitudinal study with a mixed methods design, data were collected among nurses from acute hospitals between 2021 and 2022 using a questionnaire survey and focus group interviews. The data were analysed using multiple regression analysis, knowledge mapping and the Neuman system model. Results: The results show improvements in health, quality of life and job satisfaction, and a decrease in stress; whereby influencing extrapersonal factors are, among others, reorganisations within hospitals with the active involvement of nurses. On the interpersonal level, support from managers or colleagues proved helpful. At the intrapersonal level, the recognition of the nurses' competencies was deemed particularly important, to help them to remain healthy during the pandemic. Conclusions: Increased recognition, participation, training and career opportunities as well as flexible working models need to be implemented in the long term to ensure a sustainable improvement of the health and well-being of nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Huber
- HES-SO Fachhochschule Westschweiz, Hochschule für Gesundheit Freiburg, Schweiz
| | - Ewald Schorro
- HES-SO Fachhochschule Westschweiz, Hochschule für Gesundheit Freiburg, Schweiz
| | | | - Jonathan Jubin
- HES-SO Fachhochschule Westschweiz, Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source, Lausanne, Schweiz
| | - Philippe Delmas
- HES-SO Fachhochschule Westschweiz, Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source, Lausanne, Schweiz
| | - Annie Oulevey Bachmann
- HES-SO Fachhochschule Westschweiz, Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source, Lausanne, Schweiz
| | - Ingrid Gilles
- HES-SO Fachhochschule Westschweiz, Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source, Lausanne, Schweiz
| | - Claudia Ortoleva Bucher
- HES-SO Fachhochschule Westschweiz, Institut et Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source, Lausanne, Schweiz
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Herold R, Morawa E, Schug C, Geiser F, Beschoner P, Jerg-Bretzke L, Albus C, Weidner K, Hiebel N, Borho A, Erim Y. The mental health of first- and second-generation migrant vs. native healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: The VOICE survey of 7,187 employees in the German healthcare sector. Transcult Psychiatry 2024:13634615241253153. [PMID: 39053896 DOI: 10.1177/13634615241253153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the challenging working conditions of healthcare workers (HCWs) in many regions. A considerable proportion of HCWs in Germany are migrants facing additional migration-related stressors. The aim of this cross-sectional web-based survey was to examine depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms among migrant and native HCWs in Germany during the pandemic. We compared 780 migrant (first- and second-generation) HCWs from different backgrounds with 6,407 native HCWs. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between occupational and COVID-19 related variables, controlling for sociodemographics. Migrant HCWs from low-/middle-income countries more frequently had clinically relevant depressive symptoms (PHQ-2 ≥ 3) than did those from high-income countries (29.9% vs. 16.7%, p = .002, ϕ = .156) (all other ϕs/Cramer's Vs ≤ .036). There were no clinically relevant differences in anxiety levels (GAD-2 ≥ 3) between native vs. migrant HCWs, native vs. the individual migrant HCW groups, or between the sexes (all ϕs/Cramer's Vs ≤ .036). After controlling for key sociodemographic characteristics, native HCWs did not differ from the individual migrant HCW groups on depression and anxiety severity (depression: all βs ≤ |.030|, anxiety: all βs ≤ |.014|). A high percentage of HCWs reported distress, with migrants from low-/middle-income countries reporting highest burden. The results indicate the need to establish prevention programmes for HCWs, with special consideration to vulnerable populations including certain migrant groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Herold
- 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
| | - Caterina Schug
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Petra Beschoner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nina Hiebel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andrea Borho
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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Krieger H, Rhein C, Morawa E, Adler W, Steffan J, Lang-Richter N, Struck M, Erim Y, Lieb M. Using Heart Rate Variability to Assess Nurses' Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic. West J Nurs Res 2024; 46:492-500. [PMID: 38725331 PMCID: PMC11181728 DOI: 10.1177/01939459241252078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess subjective and objective parameters of stress among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and to examine the recovery effect of a day off. METHODS In this prospective observational trial, we measured heart rate variability (using a wearable device) and perceived stress levels on 3 working days and 1 day off. We obtained the following data using an online questionnaire: working conditions, COVID-19-related problems, depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), effort-reward imbalance, and work-family conflict in a sample of German nurses (N = 41). RESULTS When comparing working days with a day off, we observed a significant difference for physical load (Cohen's d = 0.798, P < .001), mental load (Cohen's d = 0.660, P = .001), emotional exhaustion (Cohen's d = 0.945, P < .001), and overburdening (Cohen's d = 0.585, P = .002) with higher scores on working days. Regarding heart rate variability, we did not find a difference. Correlational analyses revealed a significant association between being afraid to get infected with COVID-19 and lower heart rate variability (r = -0.336, P = .045) and between being afraid to infect relatives and lower heart rate variability (r = -0.442, P = .007). Furthermore, a higher total sum score of work-family conflict was significantly associated with lower heart rate variability (r = -0.424, P = .01). CONCLUSION As heart rate variability observations were different from those regarding subjectively perceived stress, further studies are needed to evaluate and differentiate the influence of work stress and other types of stress on heart rate variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Krieger
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Cosima Rhein
- 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
| | - Werner Adler
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Steffan
- Group of Medical Data Analytics, Fraunhofer IIS, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Struck
- Center for Sensor Technology and Digital Medicine, Fraunhofer IIS, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marietta Lieb
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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Collett G, Korszun A, Gupta AK. Potential strategies for supporting mental health and mitigating the risk of burnout among healthcare professionals: insights from the COVID-19 pandemic. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 71:102562. [PMID: 38618205 PMCID: PMC11015336 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) experienced prolonged stressful conditions during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and the global situation (particularly in the United Kingdom) meant that they continue to sustain mental stress related to the subsequent cost-of-living and healthcare budgeting crises. The psychological toll on HCPs may lead to increased staff attrition, adversely impacting the quality of patient care and work security. To help mitigate this psychological impact, the current evidence is strongly supportive of healthcare providers consistently adopting programmes fostering improvement in coping and resilience, facilitating healthy lifestyle, and allocating some resources for therapeutic strategies (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy-based strategies and other strategies specified to trauma-related issues) which can be delivered by trained professionals. We stress that some approaches are not a one-size-fits-all strategy, and we also highlight the need to encourage treatment-seeking among those who need it. These strategies are highly relevant to healthcare employers and policymakers to support all HCPs in settings marked by prolonged periods of stress. The investment in these strategies are expected not only to reduce staff attrition in the long-term, but are likely to add to the cost-effectiveness of overall healthcare budgetary allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Collett
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ania Korszun
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ajay K. Gupta
- William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Ruttmann K, Albaladejo-Fuertes S, Lindenberg N, Kunst C, Mehrl A, Kindl V, Gülow K, Schlosser-Hupf S, Schmid S, Müller M. Relationship between interprofessional collaboration and psychological distress experienced by healthcare professionals during COVID-19: a monocentric cross-sectional study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1292608. [PMID: 38660424 PMCID: PMC11039835 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1292608] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, global healthcare systems have faced unprecedented challenges, leading to significant psychological distress among healthcare professionals. Recognizing the importance of enhanced interprofessional collaboration in alleviating this burden, as emphasized by the World Health Organization in 2020, we investigated whether such collaboration could mitigate staff psychological distress during crises. To our knowledge, no study has yet explored the role of interprofessional collaboration as a resilience factor in crises. Methods For this monocentric cross-sectional study at a German university hospital, we examined the relationship between the quality of interprofessional collaboration and the psychological distress of healthcare professionals during the initial pandemic wave. We employed validated mental health instruments, such as the GAD-7 and PHQ-2, to assess anxiety and depressive symptoms. Additionally, custom-designed questionnaires evaluated "Pandemic-Associated Burden and Anxiety (PAB; PAA)" and interprofessional crisis management experiences. A novel "Interprofessional collaboration and communication (IPC)" assessment tool was developed based on international competency frameworks, demonstrating strong reliability. Results The study involved 299 healthcare professionals (78.6% in direct contact with COVID-19 patients). Moderate levels of PAB/PAA were reported. However, a significant proportion experienced clinically relevant anxiety, as indicated by GAD-7. Negative IPC perceptions correlated with higher levels of psychological distress. Linear regression analysis showed associations between interprofessional collaboration and anxious and depressive symptoms, and pandemic-related burden. Conclusion Our findings highlight the vital role of enhanced interprofessional collaboration in strengthening the psychological well-being of healthcare professionals during crises. The study underscores the need to foster a collaborative environment and integrate interprofessional education for resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstin Ruttmann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Nursing Development Department of the Care Management Head Office, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sheila Albaladejo-Fuertes
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Lindenberg
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Kunst
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Mehrl
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Vera Kindl
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Karsten Gülow
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sophie Schlosser-Hupf
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Schmid
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martina Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Grasmann L, Morawa E, Adler W, Schug C, Borho A, Geiser F, Beschoner P, Jerg-Bretzke L, Albus C, Weidner K, Mogwitz S, Baranowski AM, Erim Y. Depression and anxiety among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: Longitudinal results over 2 years from the multicentre VOICE-EgePan study. J Clin Nurs 2024. [PMID: 38519850 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.17079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
AIMS To examine symptoms of depression and generalised anxiety among nurses over 2 years during the pandemic and compare them to the general population. BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in mental stress among the population worldwide. Nursing staff have been identified as being under remarkable strain. DESIGN A multicentre prospective longitudinal study. METHODS Symptoms of depression and generalised anxiety in 507 nurses were examined at four different time points (T1: April-July 2020, T2: November 2020-January 2021, T3: May-July 2021, T4: February-May 2022). Results were compared with values of the German general population, presence of gender-specific differences was analysed and frequencies of clinically relevant levels of depression and anxiety were determined. RESULTS Throughout the study (T1-T4), a significant increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms was observed. At all four measurement time points, nurses showed significantly higher prevalence for depression and anxiety compared to the German general population. No significant gender differences were found. Frequencies for probable depression and generalised anxiety disorder among nurses were: 21.6% and 18.5% (T1), 31.4% and 29.2% (T2), 29.5% and 26.2% (T3), 33.7% and 26.4% (T4). CONCLUSION During the pandemic, symptoms of depression and generalised anxiety among nurses increased significantly and remained elevated. Their symptom levels were permanently higher than in the general population. These findings strongly suggest that the circumstances of the pandemic severely affected nurses´ mental health. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The COVID-19 pandemic caused a great mental strain on caregivers. This study was able to demonstrate the significant increase in depression and anxiety among nurses during the pandemic. It highlights the urgent need for prevention, screening and support systems in hospitals. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION Supportive programmes and preventive services should be developed, not least to prevent the growing shortage of nurses in the health care systems. REPORTING METHOD The study adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines. The STROBE checklist for cohort study was used as the reporting method. PATIENT CONTRIBUTION Five hundred and seven nurses completed the questionnaire and provided data for analysis. TRIAL AND PROTOCOL REGISTRATION The study was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (https://drks.de/search/en) under the following ID: DRKS00021268.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenja Grasmann
- 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
| | - Werner Adler
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Caterina Schug
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andrea Borho
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Petra Beschoner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Christophsbad Hospital, Göppingen, Germany
| | - Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sabine Mogwitz
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas M Baranowski
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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Eichenberg C, Schneider R, Auvera P, Aranyi G, Huber K. Risk and protection factors of mental stress among medical staff in the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1334552. [PMID: 38585477 PMCID: PMC10995372 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1334552] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic placed an extraordinary burden on health care workers (HCW), who are reported to suffer from great mental stress. The current study investigates the mental health of HCW in the later phases of the pandemic. Methods HCW completed the following questionnaires online (06/2021-02/2022, N=159): demographics (age, gender, profession, ward), Impact of Event Scale (IES-R, posttraumatic stress), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S, state anxiety), stress-coping questionnaire (SVF-78), and bespoke corona-specific stress and protective-factor questions (5 items each). We used factor analysis to test scale properties and regression-type methods (t-tests, ANOVA, multiple regression) for hypothesis tests and effect-size estimation. Results/discussion Mental stress in HCW is influenced by similar factors as described for earlier phases. However, differences to earlier phases were found in ward affiliation which is no longer a variable of concern for explaining differences in mental health of HCW. Further, even if nurses are the occupational group with the highest mental stress as in prior research, detailed analysis shows that medical specialists with close proximity to patients with a high-level of responsibility are the most burdened sub-group. Unlike nurses, they suffer from high levels of anxiety in addition to high levels of post-traumatic and COVID-specific stress. Analyses showed further that COVID-specific stress is the strongest predictor of mental stress, wherein COVID-specific stress factors remain the same as reported in literature on the early pandemic phases. HCW showed to use still more positive than negative coping strategies. Negative strategies increased as expected mental stress, whereas positive strategies alleviated only anxiety. Additionally, we found that doctors benefited from many protective factors while nurses had access to fewer protective factors like earlier waves. Conclusion Data show that HCW still suffer from mental stress in the third year of the pandemic. HCW of all hospital wards may be affected by mental stress and need attention and protective measures. Medical specialists are the most burdened subgroup. Detailed analyses show that properties other than occupation, gender, or ward affiliation are more appropriate to evaluate mental stress of HCW. The findings have implications for developing specialized protection strategies for the post-pandemic phase and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Eichenberg
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Psychosomatics, Sigmund Freud Private University, Vienna, Austria
| | - Raphaela Schneider
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Psychosomatics, Sigmund Freud Private University, Vienna, Austria
| | - Phillip Auvera
- Sigmund Freud Private University, Medical Faculty, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabor Aranyi
- Faculty of Psychotherapy Science, Sigmund Freud Private University, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Education and Psychology at Szombathely, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kurt Huber
- Sigmund Freud Private University, Medical Faculty, Vienna, Austria
- 3rd Dept. of Medicine, Cardiology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, Clinic Ottakring (former Wilhelminenhospital), Vienna, Austria
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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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Schmidt-Stiedenroth K, Mambrey V, Dreher A, Loerbroks A. Psychosocial working conditions and mental health among medical assistants in Germany: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:716. [PMID: 38448891 PMCID: PMC10916249 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17798-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medical assistants (MA) constitute one of the largest professions in outpatient health care in Germany. The psychosocial working conditions of health care staff are generally believed to be challenging and to thereby increase the risk of poor mental health. A review of MA's psychosocial working conditions and mental health is lacking, however. We aimed to systematically identify and summarize existing research on psychosocial working conditions and mental health of MA by addressing (1) Which methods, concepts, and instruments have been used to capture the psychosocial working conditions and mental health among MA in Germany? (2) What findings are available? and (3) What are the research gaps? METHODS We systematically searched Medline, Scopus, CCMed and Google Scholar. Using the Population Concept Context (PCC)-framework, we applied the following eligibility criteria: (a) Language: English or German, (b) publication between 2002-2022, (c) original study, (d) study population: mainly MA (i.e., ≥ 50% of the study population), (e) concept: psychosocial working conditions and/or mental health, and (f) context: Germany. Two reviewers extracted data independently, results were compared for accuracy and completeness. RESULTS Eight hundred twenty-seven sources were identified. We included 30 publications (19 quantitative, 10 qualitative, and one mixed methods study). Quantitative studies consistently reported high job satisfaction among MA. Quantitative and mixed methods studies frequently reported aspects related to job control as favorable working conditions, and aspects related to job rewards as moderate to unfavorable. Qualitative studies reported low job control in specific work areas, high demands in terms of workload, time pressure and job intensity, and a desire for greater recognition. Social interactions seemed to be important resources for MA. Few studies (n = 8) captured mental health, these reported inconspicuous mean values but high prevalences of anxiety, burnout, depression, and stress among MA. Studies suggested poorer psychosocial working conditions and mental health among MA during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Quantitative studies tend to suggest more favorable psychosocial working conditions among MA than qualitative studies. We suggest mixed methods to reconcile this alleged inconsistency. Future research should examine discrepancies between job satisfaction and unfavorable working conditions and if psychosocial working conditions and mental health remain changed after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira Schmidt-Stiedenroth
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Viola Mambrey
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Annegret Dreher
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Adrian Loerbroks
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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10
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Baranowski AM, Blank R, Maus K, Tüttenberg SC, Matthias JK, Culmann AC, Radbruch L, Richter C, Geiser F. 'We are all in the same boat': a qualitative cross-sectional analysis of COVID-19 pandemic imagery in scientific literature and its use for people working in the German healthcare sector. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1296613. [PMID: 38374972 PMCID: PMC10875073 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1296613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to professional responders in healthcare settings. This is reflected in the language used to describe the pandemic in the professional literature of the respective professions. The aim of this multidisciplinary study was to analyze the linguistic imagery in the relevant professional literature and to determine the identification of different professional groups with it and its emotional effects. Method A list of 14 typical, widespread and differing imageries for COVID-19 in form of single sentences (e.g., "Until the pandemic is over, we can only run on sight.") were presented to 1,795 healthcare professionals in an online survey. The imageries had been extracted from a qualitative search in more than 3,500 international professional journals in medicine, psychology and theology. Ratings of agreement with these imageries and feelings about them were subjected to factor analysis. Results Based on the list of imageries presented, it was possible to identify three factors for high/low agreement by experiences, and two factors for high/low induced feelings. Broad agreement emerged for imageries on "fight against the crisis" and "lessons learned from the crisis", while imageries on "acceptance of uncontrollability" tended to be rejected. Imageries of "challenges" tended to lead to a sense of empowerment among subjects, while imageries of "humility" tended to lead to a sense of helplessness. Conclusion Based on the qualitative and subsequential quantitative analysis, several factors for imageries for the COVID-19 pandemic were identified that have been used in the literature. Agreement with imageries is mixed, as is the assessment of how helpful they are.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas M. Baranowski
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Rebecca Blank
- Systematic Theology and Hermeneutics, Faculty of Protestant Theology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katja Maus
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simone C. Tüttenberg
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia-K. Matthias
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna C. Culmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lukas Radbruch
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Cornelia Richter
- Systematic Theology and Hermeneutics, Faculty of Protestant Theology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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11
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van der Feltz-Cornelis CM, Sweetman J, Lee W, Doherty AM, Dineen P, Meinlschmidt G, Vitinius F, Fazekas C, Huber CG, Schaefert R, Stein B. Determinants of workload-related clinician stress levels in general hospital consultation liaison psychiatry services during the COVID-19 pandemic in England and Ireland. Short report. J Psychosom Res 2024; 177:111584. [PMID: 38181547 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore workload-related stress levels experienced by consultation liaison psychiatry (CLP) staff in England and Ireland, and factors relevant to such a burden, during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Data were obtained for England and Ireland from a European survey among CLP services in general hospitals spread via CLP networks (11th June - 3rd October 2021). The heads of respective CLP services in general hospitals responded on behalf of each service, on 100 CLP hospital staff in total. DEPENDENT VARIABLE workload-related stress levels in CLP services due to COVID-19 (0-10 point scale). INDEPENDENT VARIABLES hospital size, CLP service size, degree of hospital involvement in COVID-19-related care, and the number of support options available to hospital staff. Spearman's rho correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS There was a significant association between the hospital's involvement in COVID-19-related care and workload-related stress levels as reported by CLP staff: r(22) = 0.41, p = 0.045, R2 = 0.17. There were no significant associations between workload-related stress levels and other variables including staff support (p = 0.74). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that perceived workload-related stress levels of CLP staff during the COVID-19 pandemic can be an indicator of COVID-19 involvement of the hospitals. Staff support seemed not to alleviate work stress in the context of the pandemic. Healthcare policies should improve working conditions for CLP hospital staff that play an essential role from a population health perspective. Rigorous measures may be needed to ensure mental healthcare provision remains tenable and sustainable in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M van der Feltz-Cornelis
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom; Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom; Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Jennifer Sweetman
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anne M Doherty
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Dineen
- Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gunther Meinlschmidt
- University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Department of Digital and Blended Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Psychosomatic Medicine, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, International Psychoanalytic University (IPU), Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Vitinius
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital and University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Robert-Bosch Hospital Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Christian Fazekas
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Division of Medical Psychology, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Graz, Austria
| | - Christian G Huber
- University of Basel, Department of Psychiatry (UPK), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rainer Schaefert
- University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Stein
- Nuremberg General Hospital, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Nuremberg, Germany
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12
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Huang J, Huang ZT, Sun XC, Chen TT, Wu XT. Mental health status and related factors influencing healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0289454. [PMID: 38241316 PMCID: PMC10798549 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mental health of healthcare workers during the coronavirus-2019 pandemic was seriously affected, and the risk of mental health problems was high. The present study sought to systematically evaluate the mental health problems of healthcare workers worldwide during the pandemic and to determine the latest global frequency of COVID-19 associated mental health problems. METHODS Data in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, Elsevier, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO and the Web of Science before November 11, 2022, were systematically searched. Cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies were included. The meta-analysis used a random effects model to synthesize the comprehensive prevalence rate of mental health problems. Subgroup analyses were performed based on time of data collection; whether the country was or was not developed; continent; doctors and nurses; doctors/nurses vs. other healthcare workers; and psychological evaluation scale. RESULTS A total of 161 studies were included, including 341,014 healthcare workers worldwide, with women accounting for 82.8%. Occupationally, 16.2% of the healthcare workers were doctors, 63.6% were nurses and 13.3% were other medical staff. During the pandemic, 47% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35-60%) of healthcare workers reported job burnout, 38% (95% CI, 35-41%) experienced anxiety, 34% (95% CI 30-38%) reported depression, 30% (95% CI, 29-31%) had acute stress disorder, and 26% (95% CI, 21-31%) had post-traumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSIONS The study found that there were common mental health problems among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most common was job burnout, followed by anxiety, depression, acute stress and post-traumatic stress disorder. Although the global pandemic has been brought under control, its long-term impact on the mental health of healthcare workers cannot be ignored. Additional research is required to develop measures to prevent, monitor and treat psychological disorders among healthcare workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Huang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zhu-Tang Huang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xin-Ce Sun
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Ting-Ting Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xiao-Tian Wu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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13
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Omori Y, Oka N, Suzuki Y, Shima M, Nishikawa H, Tsuzuki K. Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Medical Practices in Awaji Island. JMA J 2024; 7:61-69. [PMID: 38314427 PMCID: PMC10834151 DOI: 10.31662/jmaj.2023-0107] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Since the first confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China, COVID-19 continues to be a global threat and exerts a significant impact on medical practices. This study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical practices in Awaji Island, a remote island in Japan. Methods First, we conducted a survey on the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 on Awaji Island before and during the pandemic. Next, using a questionnaire, we conducted a survey with doctors working full time at Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Medical Center, which is the only designated infectious disease hospital on Awaji Island. Results The COVID-19 infection rate of Awaji Island was lower than that of Hyogo Prefecture and of Japan as a whole, although the peaks occurred simultaneously. Outpatient visits as well as hospitalized patients, i.e., inpatients, decreased during the pandemic as a result of restrictions on surgeries and hospitalizations, with no changes in the disease composition ratio. The results of the questionnaire show that during the pandemic, doctors working full time at our hospital worked less and slept more. Furthermore, data obtained from the Medical Affairs Department showed a decrease in overtime hours worked and an increase in the number of days of paid holidays taken. Conclusions Epidemiologically, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Awaji Island showed a similar trend to that in Japan, but the results of the survey questionnaire indicated that doctors working full time at our hospital were not necessarily adversely affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiko Omori
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Medical Center, Sumoto, Japan
| | - Naoto Oka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Medical Center, Sumoto, Japan
| | - Yasukuni Suzuki
- Department of Surgery, Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Medical Center, Sumoto, Japan
| | - Masayuki Shima
- Department of Public Health, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nishikawa
- Department of 2nd Internal Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Kenzo Tsuzuki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, Japan
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14
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Fatani M, Shamayleh A, Alshraideh H. Assessing the Disruption Impact on Healthcare Delivery. J Prim Care Community Health 2024; 15:21501319241260351. [PMID: 38907592 PMCID: PMC11193933 DOI: 10.1177/21501319241260351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Health emergency outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic make it challenging for healthcare systems to ration medical resources and patient care. Such disastrous events have been increasing over the past years and are becoming inevitable, necessitating the need for healthcare to be well-prepared and resilient to unpredictable rises in demand. Quantitative and qualitative based decision support systems increase the effectiveness of planning, alleviating uncertainties associated with the crisis. This study aims to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the performance of healthcare systems in different areas and to address the associated disruption. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates among healthcare workers who worked during the pandemic. The pandemic-related disruption and its psychometric properties were assessed using Structural Equations Modeling (SEM) with 5 latent factors: Staff Mental Health, Communication Level, Planning and Readiness, Healthcare Supply Chain, and Telehealth. Responses from highly qualified participants with many years of experience in hospital settings were collected and analyzed. Results show that the model satisfactorily fits the data with a CLI of 0.91 and TLI of 0.88. The model indicates that enhancing supply chain management, planning, telehealth usage, and communication level across the healthcare system can mitigate the disruption. However, the lack of mental health management for healthcare workers can significantly disrupt the quality of delivered care. Staff mental health and healthcare supply chain, respectively, are the highest contributors to varying degrees of disruption in healthcare delivery. This study provides a direction for more research focusing on determinants of healthcare efficiency. It also provides decision-makers insights into the main factors leading to disruptions in healthcare systems, allowing them to shape their outbreak response and better prepare for future health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maymunah Fatani
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah UAE
- Engineering Systems Management, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah UAE
- Department of Industrial Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah UAE
| | - Abdulrahim Shamayleh
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah UAE
- Engineering Systems Management, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah UAE
- Department of Industrial Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah UAE
| | - Hussam Alshraideh
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah UAE
- Engineering Systems Management, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah UAE
- Department of Industrial Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah UAE
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15
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Searby A, Burr D, Redley B. The impact of COVID-19 on nurse alcohol consumption: A qualitative exploration. J Clin Nurs 2024; 33:368-380. [PMID: 35871283 PMCID: PMC9350011 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurse alcohol consumption. BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense disruption to healthcare services worldwide, and nurses have not been immune, experiencing burnout, declining mental health and ultimately, attrition from the profession. Increases in alcohol consumption have been reported across subsections of society, including those with pre-existing mental ill health and experiencing high stress, and exploring this phenomenon in nurses is essential for workforce well-being and sustainability. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive study design. METHODS Secondary analysis of individual, semi-structured interviews with nurses (N = 42) from diverse settings across Australia, including community, primary and hospital settings, conducted in July and August 2021. Data were analysed using structural coding and reported in accordance with the CORE-Q guidelines. FINDINGS Two key themes were found after analysis of the data: (1) factors influencing alcohol consumption (subthemes: workplace factors and external factors), and (2) the pandemic's influence on alcohol consumption (subthemes: increased consumption, moderation of consumption and alcohol as a reward). CONCLUSIONS Several participants described increased alcohol consumption because of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly due to the stress of working in an environment where resources were scarce. Workplace factors such as overtime, missed breaks and heightened workload were all described as driving stress, and in turn increased alcohol consumption. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Increased alcohol consumption has been associated with burnout, absenteeism and intention to leave. The nursing profession is currently undergoing significant continuing stress providing care and management to patients with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and increased alcohol consumption is a significant threat to personal and workforce well-being, workforce sustainability and quality nursing care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Searby
- Deakin University, Institute for Health TransformationSchool of Nursing & MidwiferyGeelongAustralia
| | - Dianna Burr
- Deakin University, Institute for Health TransformationSchool of Nursing & MidwiferyGeelongAustralia
| | - Bernice Redley
- Deakin University, Institute for Health TransformationSchool of Nursing & MidwiferyGeelongAustralia
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16
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Xiong NN, Fan TT, Liu Q, Fritzsche K, Leonhart R, Stein B, Waller C, Müller MM. Burnout, emotional distress and sleep quality among Chinese psychiatric healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a follow-up study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1272074. [PMID: 38179557 PMCID: PMC10764523 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1272074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Different from the very early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout and chronic mental health problems among health care workers (HCWs) has become a challenge. Research is lacking on the relationship between burnout, stress, emotional distress and sleep quality. Methods The Chinese center has been involved in the Cope-Corona project since the second survey (T2). Named after the project, a total of three cross-sectional surveys were distributed: T2 (February 16-20, 2021), T3 (May 10-14, 2022), and T4 (December 20-24, 2022). Burnout, depression, anxiety, sleep quality, workplace factors and individual resources were measured. Using the T4 data, we conducted structural equation model (SEM) to examine the mediating role of burnout in predicting emotional distress and sleep quality. Results 96, 124, and 270 HCWs were enrolled at T2, T3, and T4, respectively. In line with the epidemic trends, the level of perceived COVID-19 related risks was significantly higher at T4, while the feeling of health and safety decreased significantly. At T4, the percentages of participants with clinically significant levels of depression and anxiety symptoms were 18.9% (51/270) and 9.3% (25/270), respectively, while 30.4% (82/270) of them reported poor or very poor sleep quality. According to the SEM, individual resources and workplace factors mainly had an indirect effect in predicting depression and anxiety via burnout. However, neither burnout nor stress was a mediator or predictor of sleep quality. Instead, individual resources, positive workplace factors, and younger age had a direct effect in predicting good sleep quality. Conclusion Measures designed to enhance workplace factors and individual resources should be implemented to improve psychosomatic wellbeing of HCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na-na Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Teng-teng Fan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Kurt Fritzsche
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Mental Health, Medical Centre - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Leonhart
- Department for Social Psychology and Methodology, Institute of Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Stein
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Nuremberg General Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Christiane Waller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Nuremberg General Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Markus M. Müller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Nuremberg General Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
- Social and Organizational Psychology, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt, Germany
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17
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Engelmann P, Toussaint A, Addo MM, Brehm TT, Lohse AW, Weigel A, Thompson M, Löwe B. Predictors of somatic symptom burden in healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: an 8-week follow-up study. J Ment Health 2023; 32:1111-1121. [PMID: 35549625 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2022.2069709] [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: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Literature investigating the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals barely addresses predictors of somatic symptom burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMS As biopsychosocial models propose that not only the disease but also sociodemographic and psychosocial factors contribute to the development and maintenance of symptoms, this study investigates the predictive value of these factors for bothersome somatic symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 negative healthcare professionals. METHODS German healthcare professionals were assessed with self-rating questionnaires and underwent SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody tests at baseline and 8 weeks later between April and August 2020. Differences in psychosocial variables between the time points were analyzed and regression analyses were performed to predict somatic symptoms at follow-up. RESULTS 1185 seronegative healthcare professionals completed both assessments. Previous somatic symptom burden, higher levels of anxiety, being a nurse, younger age, higher psychological symptom burden, lower efficiency, and higher fatigability at baseline predicted somatic symptom burden at follow-up. Comparisons between baseline and follow-up showed a significant improvement in psychological impairment and deterioration of physical exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS Our study applies a biopsychosocial perspective to bothersome somatic symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributes to the identification of potential risk factors as a starting point for future interventions that could support the handling of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Engelmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anne Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marylyn M Addo
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Thomas Theo Brehm
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Ansgar W Lohse
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Angelika Weigel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michelle Thompson
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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18
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Brulin E, Lidwall U, Seing I, Nyberg A, Landstad B, Sjöström M, Bååthe F, Nilsen P. Healthcare in distress: A survey of mental health problems and the role of gender among nurses and physicians in Sweden. J Affect Disord 2023; 339:104-110. [PMID: 37433382 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The present article aimed to investigate 1) if mental health problems (depression and burnout including the dimensions; emotional exhaustion, mental distance and cognitive and emotional impairment) differed between nurses and physicians in Sweden, 2) if any differences were explained by differences in sex compositions, and 3) if any sex differences were larger within either of the two professions. METHOD Data were derived from a representative sample of nurses (n = 2903) and physicians (n = 2712) in 2022. Two scales were used to assess burnout (KEDS and BAT) and one to assess depression (SCL-6). The BAT scale has four sub-dimensions. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyse each scale and dimension separately. RESULTS Results showed that 16-28 % of nurses and physicians reported moderate to severe symptoms of burnout. The prevalence differed between occupations across the scales and dimensions used. Nurses reported higher scores on KEDS while physicians reported higher scores on BAT including the four dimensions. Also, 7 % of nurses' and 6 % of physicians' scores were above the cut-off for major depression. The inclusion of sex in the models changed the odds ratios of differences between doctors and nurses in all mental health dimensions except mental distance and cognitive impairment. LIMITATIONS This study was based on cross-sectional survey data which has some limitations. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that the prevalence of mental health problems is prominent among nurses and physicians in Sweden. Sex plays an important role in the difference in the prevalence of mental health problems between the two professions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Brulin
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
| | - Ulrik Lidwall
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department for Analysis, Swedish Social Insurance Agency, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ida Seing
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Anna Nyberg
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Bodil Landstad
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sweden; Unit of Research, Education and Development, Östersund Hospital, Sweden
| | - Malin Sjöström
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Bååthe
- Institute for Studies of the Medical Profession, LEFO, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Stress Medicine at Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Per Nilsen
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden
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19
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Morawa E, Adler W, Schug C, Geiser F, Beschoner P, Jerg-Bretzke L, Albus C, Weidner K, Baranowski AM, Erim Y. Depressive and anxiety symptoms in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic among physicians in hospitals: results of the longitudinal, multicenter VOICE-EgePan survey over two years. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:327. [PMID: 37817222 PMCID: PMC10566070 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01354-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This longitudinal, multicenter web-based study explored the trajectories of depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among physicians over two years. METHODS At four measurement points between 4/2020 and 5/2022 depressive (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, PHQ-2) and anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-2, GAD-2) among physicians in German hospitals were assessed. Time, gender and age effects were analyzed with linear mixed regression models. Comparisons with norm values for the German population during the COVID-19 pandemic were also performed and frequencies of probable depression and anxiety are reported. RESULTS The physicians (N = 340) showed a significant increase of depressive symptoms from T1 (M = 1.35, SD = 1.33) to T4 (M = 1.64, SD = 1.34) (p < .001) and of anxiety symptoms from T1 (M = 1.35, SD = 1.42) to T2 (M = 1.59, SD = 1.43) (p = .024). The main effect of gender was only significant for anxiety symptoms (p = .001): women demonstrated higher scores than men. A significant age class difference was observed only for depressive symptoms: the youngest age group (18-40 years) revealed higher values than the oldest group (> 50 years, p = .003). As compared to the general population, the physicians reported significantly elevated PHQ-2 (T1: M = 1.35, SD = 1.33; T2: M = 1.53, SD = 1.37; T3: M = 1.55, SD = 1.40; T4: M = 1.64, SD = 1.34) and GAD-2 scores (T1: M = 1.35, SD = 1.42; T2: M = 1.59, SD = 1.43; T3: M = 1.61, SD = 1.57; T4: M = 1.49, SD = 1.46) for all measurement points (all p < .001). The frequencies of probable depression (PHQ-2 ≥ 3) and anxiety (GAD-2 ≥ 3) were: 14.1% and 17.0% (T1), 16.5% and 21.9% (T2), 17.8% and 22.6% (T3) and 18.5% and 17.3% (T4), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Mental distress of physicians in German hospitals has increased in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic with gender and age-related differences. Possible causes should be explored and regular monitoring of mental health and prevention programmes for physicians should be established. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was registered on ClinicalTrials (DRKS-ID: DRKS00021268) on 9.4.2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen, 91054, Germany.
| | - Werner Adler
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Caterina Schug
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Petra Beschoner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas M Baranowski
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
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20
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Schmidt-Stiedenroth K, Guthardt L, Genrich M, Köhne M, Stiawa M, Erschens R, Junne F, Maatouk I, Gündel H, Angerer P, Müller A. What helps hospital staff in times of crisis: qualitative results of a survey on psychosocial resources and stressors in German hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1260079. [PMID: 37869202 PMCID: PMC10585258 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1260079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital workers faced a tremendous workload. The pandemic led to different and additional strain that negatively affected the well-being of employees. This study aims to explore psychosocial resources and strategies that were used by hospital staff. Methods In the context of an intervention study, employees of three German hospitals were questioned in writing in summer and fall 2020. Five open-ended questions about the pandemic were asked to capture corresponding effects on daily work routine. Answers of 303 participants were evaluated using structuring qualitative content analysis. Results Significant stressors and resources were identified in the areas of work content and task, social relations at work, organization of work, work environment and individual aspects. Stressors included, for example, emotional demands, conflicts, an increased workload, time and performance pressure. Important resources mentioned were, among others, the exchange with colleagues and mutual support. Sound information exchange, clear processes and guidelines and a positive work atmosphere were also important. In addition, the private environment and a positive mindset were perceived as helpful. Conclusion This study contributes to a differentiated understanding of existing psychosocial resources of hospital staff in times of crisis. Identifying and strengthening these resources could reduce stress and improve well-being, making hospital staff better prepared for both normal operations and further crisis situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira Schmidt-Stiedenroth
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lisa Guthardt
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Melanie Genrich
- Institute of Psychology, Work and Organizational Psychology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Mara Köhne
- Institute of Psychology, Work and Organizational Psychology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Maja Stiawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy II, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rebecca Erschens
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Florian Junne
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- University Hospital for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Imad Maatouk
- Department of General Internal and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Harald Gündel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Peter Angerer
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas Müller
- Institute of Psychology, Work and Organizational Psychology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
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21
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Wolff J, Becker J, Naendrup JH, Borrega JG, Heger JM, Hamacher L, Böll B, Eichenauer DA, Shimabukuro-Vornhagen A, Kochanek M. [Team-specific impacts of the corona pandemic on intensive care medicine personnel of a maximum care hospital]. Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2023; 118:556-563. [PMID: 36121481 PMCID: PMC9484350 DOI: 10.1007/s00063-022-00959-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing strain on personnel in the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic is considerable and poses major emotional and psychological challenges for the personnel. In a team evaluation (physicians and nurses), team-specific stress, possible relief strategies, positive and negative experiences, and wishes for improvement of the situation in an intensive care unit were collected. While both occupational groups perceived equally high emotional stress intensities, nursing additionally perceived high stress intensities in the organizational and physical areas. Thus, the occupational group of nurses proves to be the most stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings presented here can be used to derive instructions for future actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Wolff
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO), Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland
- Seelsorge Uniklinik Köln, Universitätsklinik Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Jürgen Becker
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO), Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Jan-Hendrik Naendrup
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO), Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Jorge Garcia Borrega
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO), Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Jan-Michel Heger
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO), Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Laura Hamacher
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO), Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Boris Böll
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO), Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Dennis A Eichenauer
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO), Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Alexander Shimabukuro-Vornhagen
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO), Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Matthias Kochanek
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne; Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf (CIO), Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland.
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22
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Khazaee-Pool M, Moradi M, Pashaei T, Ponnet K. Psychosocial status and risk perception among Iranian healthcare workers during the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2023; 21:76. [PMID: 37723512 PMCID: PMC10506218 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-023-00862-0] [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: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare workers (HCWs) are essential resources, and their health and wellbeing are key not only for offering constant and useful care facilities to clients, but also for maintaining the safety of the workforce and patients. The risk of severe mental health problems among HCWs may have increased during large outbreaks of COVID-19. To evaluate the psychosocial status and risk perception of HCWs who participated in treating COVID-19 patients in Northern Iran, we performed a web-based cross-sectional study. METHODS The web-based cross-sectional design was applied between June 27 and September 2, 2021. Using convenience sampling, 637 HCWs were recruited from hospitals in Northern Iran (Mazandaran). The HCWs completed self-report questionnaires that included a sociodemographic information form, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, Impact of the Event Scale-Revised, Risk Perception Questionnaire, and Anxiety Stress Scale-21. The data were analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics and univariate/multivariate logistic regression to assess the risk factors linked to each psychosocial consequence. RESULTS The results reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse psychosocial influence on HCWs, which was already apparent 1.5 years after the crisis began. Based on the results, 71.6%, 55.6%, and 32.3% of HCWs reported having anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, respectively, since the outbreak of this disease. The logistic regression models displayed that marital status, having children, and working hours with patients were all risk factors of psychosocial impairment. CONCLUSIONS The outbreak of COVID-19 can be considered an important experience of a bio-disaster resulting in a significant rate of psychiatric problems in HCWs. There is a need for designing and promoting supportive programs to help HCWs cope and to improve their psychosocial state, and the present study has detected for whom psychosocial support may be effective and practical 1.5 years after the primary outbreak. Moreover, detecting and managing concerns and reducing infection-related embarrassment/stigma are essential for improving HCWs' mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Khazaee-Pool
- Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Masoud Moradi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Tahereh Pashaei
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Koen Ponnet
- Department of Communication Sciences, imec-mict-Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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23
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Beschoner P, Jerg-Bretzke L, Erim Y, Geiser F, Baranowski AM, Weidner K, Albus C, Schug C, Limbrecht-Ecklundt K, Weimer K, Jarczok MN, Kempf M, Gündel H, Morawa E. The prevalence of effort-reward imbalance and its associations with working conditions, psychosocial resources and burden among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of the egePan-Voice study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287509. [PMID: 37590290 PMCID: PMC10434884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The association between a measure of effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and profession as well as gender in a sample of health care workers (HCW) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany using the egePan-Voice study. In addition, we examined, which factors are associated with an effort-reward imbalance ratio (ERI ratio) >1. METHODS In a large sample of HCW (N = 6174) we assessed occupational stress with the short version of the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) questionnaire, working conditions, COVID-19-related problems and psychosocial resources (ENRICHD Social Support Inventory, ESSI; Sense of Coherence Scale, SOC-3 and optimism, SOP2). RESULTS The prevalence of a ERI ratio >1 among HCW was 50.9%. The prevalence's of an ERI ratio >1 were statistically significant different between gender as well as the occupational profession. The proportion of women (51.8%) with ERI ratio >1 was significantly higher than among men (47.8%). The highest ERI imbalance was found among nurses (62.8%), followed by medical technical assistants (MTA) (58.8%), while psychologists/psychotherapists revealed the lowest value (37.8%), followed by physicians (41.8%). In the total sample, most essential factors reported at this time for increased ERI ratio were: insufficient staff for the current work load, insufficient recovery, feeling insufficiently protected by measures taken by the hospital/the employer, high occupancy rate of the wards, insufficient trust in colleagues and being a nurse as compared with being a physician. CONCLUSION The findings indicate a high proportion of HCW with effort-reward imbalance and substantial profession-related differences. Preventive interventions should be offered to vulnerable groups among the HCW to decrease the imbalance measured by work stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Beschoner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas M. Baranowski
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Caterina Schug
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Katja Weimer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marc N. Jarczok
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Maximilian Kempf
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Harald Gündel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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Sommerlatte S, Lugnier C, Schoffer O, Jahn P, Kraeft AL, Kourti E, Michl P, Reinacher-Schick A, Schmitt J, Birkner T, Schildmann J, Herpertz S. Mental burden and moral distress among oncologists and oncology nurses in Germany during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:6211-6223. [PMID: 36700979 PMCID: PMC9878480 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04580-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is evidence for mental burden and moral distress among healthcare workers during the pandemic. However, there is scarcity of analyses regarding possible correlations of mental burden and moral distress in this context. This study provides data to quantify mental burden and possible associations with moral distress among physicians and nurses working in oncology in Germany. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with physicians and nurses working in oncology in Germany between March and July 2021. Next to sociodemographic characteristics and working conditions, mental burden and moral distress were assessed using standardized instruments. Binary multivariate logistic regression using the enter method was performed in order to explore the relationship between mental burden and moral distress. RESULTS 121 physicians and 125 nurses were included in the study. Prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms, anxiety, somatic symptoms, burnout symptoms and moral distress was 19.2, 14.5, 12.7, 46.0 and 34.7% in physicians and 41.4, 24.0, 46.8, 46.6 and 60.0% in nurses respectively. Mental burden was significantly associated with moral distress, being female/diverse, younger age < 40 and increase in workload. Nurses who felt sufficiently protected from COVID-19 reported significantly less moral distress. CONCLUSION To improve pandemic resilience, there is a need to ensure safe working environment including psychosocial support. Further evidence on risk and protective factors for moral distress is needed to be able to develop and implement strategies to protect healthcare workers within and beyond the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Sommerlatte
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for History and Ethics of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Celine Lugnier
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Olaf Schoffer
- Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Patrick Jahn
- Health Services Research Working Group, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Kraeft
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Eleni Kourti
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Patrick Michl
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anke Reinacher-Schick
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jochen Schmitt
- Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Birkner
- Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Schildmann
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for History and Ethics of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stephan Herpertz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Clinic, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Hoffmann A, Pilger S, Olbrecht T, Claassen K. Qualitative evaluation of a brief positive psychological online intervention for nursing staff. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2023; 44:38-45. [PMID: 37197861 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study is to evaluate a brief positive psychological intervention with regard to the mental health of nursing staff in German hospitals. It addresses the question of how positive-psychological online exercises should be designed. BACKGROUND Nurses in hospitals are known to suffer from mental strain and risk depressive as well as anxiety disorders. The covid-19-pandemic leads to a further aggravation of the situation. Opposed to that, positive psychological interventions can increase resilience by promoting self-management competences and mental strength. RESEARCH METHODS A 90 min positive-psychological workshop was conducted with six nurses who worked in German hospitals. It consisted of imparting knowledge on positive psychology and learning different positive psychological practices. Afterwards, guideline-based interviews were conducted with six nurses. The outcomes of interest were how the intervention was evaluated, to what extent the intervention led to a reflection and a promotion of self-management competences and whether it allowed the participants to transfer the learnings into everyday life. RESULTS The intervention led to a reflection of the application competence of positive-psychological techniques by the participating nurses. A promotion of the competences could not be reached. Especially the reflection and promotion of humour competence manifested itself as difficult. CONCLUSION Despite its short-term nature, the online intervention resulted in a reflection of the nurses' application competence of positive psychology indicating its resource-promoting potential. Follow-up exercises or peer groups should be used for further development, while a training of humour competence might be part of a separate intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Hoffmann
- Chair of Health Management and Business Psychology, FOM University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
| | - Saskia Pilger
- Chair of Business Psychology FOM University of Applied Sciences, Germany
| | - Thomas Olbrecht
- Chair of Health Management and Business Psychology, FOM University of Applied Sciences, Germany
| | - Kevin Claassen
- Faculty of Health, Department of Human Medicine, Chair of Occupational Medicine and Occupational Health Management, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
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Veje M, Linden K, Sengpiel V, Carlsson Y, Jonsdottir IH, Degl'Innocenti A, Ahlstrom L, Wijk H, Akerstrom M. Working conditions for healthcare workers at a Swedish university hospital infectious disease department during the COVID-19 pandemic: barriers and facilitators to maintaining employee wellbeing. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1183084. [PMID: 37275708 PMCID: PMC10233109 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1183084] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) at infectious disease departments have held the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to maintaining the employees' wellbeing that may be used to increase preparedness for future pandemics within ID Departments. Methods In September 2020, a web-based survey on demographics and work environment was distributed to all HCWs at the Infectious Disease Department at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Results were compared with a pre-COVID-19 survey from October 2019. A quantitative analysis of the overall effects of the pandemic on the working conditions of HCWs was conducted; in addition, a qualitative content analysis of open-ended responses was performed. Results In total, 222 and 149 HCWs completed the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 surveys (84 and 54% response rate), respectively. Overall, we found significant changes regarding increased workload, lack of emotional support in stressful work situations, and inability to recover after shifts. These factors correlated both with younger age and concern of becoming infected. The open-ended answers (n = 103, 69%) revealed five generic categories (Workload; Organizational support; Worry and ethical stress; Capability; and Cooperation and unity) with a total of 14 identified factors representing plausible individual and organizational-level barriers or facilitators to sustained employee wellbeing. Conclusion Younger HCWs as well as those expressing worries about contracting the infection were found to be particularly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic and these groups may require additional support in future outbreaks. Factors both increasing and decreasing the pandemic-induced negative health consequences for HCWs were identified; this knowledge may be utilized in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Veje
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karolina Linden
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Verena Sengpiel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Center of Perinatal Medicine and Health, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ylva Carlsson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Center of Perinatal Medicine and Health, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ingibjörg H Jonsdottir
- Institute of Stress Medicine, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alessio Degl'Innocenti
- Center for Ethics, Law, and Mental Health (CELAM), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Gothia Forum for Clinical Trials, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linda Ahlstrom
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Orthopedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Helle Wijk
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Quality Strategies, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Magnus Akerstrom
- Institute of Stress Medicine, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Mogwitz S, Albus C, Beschoner P, Erim Y, Geiser F, Jerg-Bretzke L, Morawa E, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Wintermann GB, Weidner K. Mental distress of physicians in the outpatient care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: emotional and supportive human relations matter - Cross-sectional results of the VOICE-study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:481. [PMID: 37173735 PMCID: PMC10180613 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09361-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the course of self-reported mental distress and quality of life (QoL) of physicians, working in the outpatient care (POC). Outcomes were compared with a control group of physicians working in the inpatient care (PIC), throughout the Corona Virus Disease (COVID)-19 pandemic. The impact of risk and protective factors in terms of emotional and supportive human relations on mental distress and perceived QoL of POC were of primary interest. METHODS Within the largest prospective, multi-center survey on mental health of health care workers (HCW), conducted during the first (T1) and second (T2) wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, we investigated the course of current burden (CB), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2) and QoL, cross-sectionally, in n = 848 POC (T1: n = 536, T2: n = 312). The primary outcomes were compared with an age- and gender-matchted control group of n = 458 PIC (T1: n = 262, T2: n = 196). COVID-19-, work-related, social risk and protective factors were examined. RESULTS At T1, POC showed no significant differences with respect to CB, depression, anxiety, and QoL, after Bonferroni correction. Whereas at T2, POC exhibited higher scores of CB (Cohen´s d/ Cd = .934, p < .001), depression (Cd = 1.648, p < 001), anxiety (Cd = 1.745, p < .001), work-family conflict (Cd = 4.170, p < .001) and lower QoL (Cd = .891, p = .002) compared with PIC. Nearly all assessed parameters of burden increased from T1 to T2 within the cohort of POC (e.g. depression: CD = 1.580, p < .001). Risk factors for mental distress of POC throughout the pandemic were: increased work-family conflict (CB: ß = .254, p < .001, 95% CI: .23, .28; PHQ-2: ß = .139, p = .011, 95% CI: .09, .19; GAD-2: ß = .207, p < .001, 95% CI: .16, .26), worrying about the patients´ security (CB: ß = .144, p = .007, 95% CI: .07, .22; PHQ-2: ß = .150, p = .006, 95% CI: .00, .30), fear of triage situations (GAD-2: ß = .132, p = .010, 95% CI: -.04, .31) and burden through restricted social contact in spare time (CB: ß = .146, p = .003, 95% CI: .07, .22; PHQ-2: ß = .187, p < .001, 95% CI: .03, .34; GAD-2: ß = .156, p = .003, 95% CI: -.01, .32). Protective factors for mental distress and QoL were the perceived protection by local authorities (CB: ß = -.302, p < .001, 95% CI: -.39, -.22; PHQ-2: ß = -.190, p < . 001, 95% CI: -.36, -.02; GAD-2: ß = -.211, p < .001, 95% CI: -.40, -.03; QoL: ß = .273, p < .001, 95% CI: .18, .36), trust in colleagues (PHQ-2: ß = -.181, p < .001, 95% CI: -.34, -.02; GAD-2: ß = -.199, p < .001, 95% CI: -.37, -.02; QoL: ß = .124, p = .017, 95% CI: .04, .21) and social support (PHQ-2: ß = -.180, p < .001, 95% CI: -.22, -.14; GAD-2: ß = -.127, p = .014, 95% CI: -.17, -.08; QoL: ß = .211, p < .001, 95% CI: .19, .23). CONCLUSIONS During the pandemic, the protective role of emotional and supportive human relations on the mental distress and quality of life of POC should be taken into account more thoroughly, both in practice and future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Mogwitz
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty and University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, Cologne, 50937, Germany
| | - Petra Beschoner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Maximiliansplatz 2, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Maximiliansplatz 2, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Gloria-Beatrice Wintermann
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Ladwig KH, Johar H, Miller I, Atasoy S, Goette A. Covid-19 pandemic induced traumatizing medical job contents and mental health distortions of physicians working in private practices and in hospitals. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5284. [PMID: 37002346 PMCID: PMC10064592 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32412-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic during its early phases posed significant psychological threats particularly for medical frontline personal. It is unclear whether the medical workforce with the passage of time has adapted to these threats or have generalized to wider medical settings. An online survey was conducted reaching 1476 physicians in Germany with valid data from 1327 participants. Depression and anxiety were screened with the PHQ-2 and the GAD-2. Among a subtotal of 1139 (86.6%) physicians reporting personal treatment experiences with Covid-19 patients, 553 (84.8%) worked in a private practice (PP) and 586 (88.3%) in a hospital (HP). Covid-19 provoked profound conflicts between professional and ethical values: more physicians in PPs than HPs reported external constraints on their medical care being in conflict with the code of medical ethics (39.1 vs. 34.4%, p < 0.002) and significantly more HPs failed to maintain the dignity of their patients during the pandemic (48 vs. 27%, p < 0.0001). Comparison with reference groups among physicians with comparable size and settings during the first wave of Covid-19 revealed a significant increase in the prevalence of depression (23.0%) and anxiety (24.16%). Feelings of helplessness (63.3% in HPs and 53.4% in PPs) were associated with female sex, minor years of medical experience, sleeping problems and being encountered to unsettling events. Exposure to unsettling events and helplessness was significantly mediated by sleep disturbances (ß = 0.29, SE = 0.03, p < 0.0001). Covid-19 induced stress job content issues have broadened to medical disciplines beyond frontline workers. Emotional perturbations among physicians have attained a critical magnitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Heinz Ladwig
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partnersite Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Hamimatunnisa Johar
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Gießen and Marburg, Gießen, Germany
- Global Public Health, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Inna Miller
- Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET), Münster, Germany
| | - Seryan Atasoy
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partnersite Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Gießen and Marburg, Gießen, Germany
| | - Andreas Goette
- Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET), Münster, Germany.
- St. Vincenz-Krankenhaus GmbH, Medizinische Klinik II, Am Busdorf 2, 33098, Paderborn, Germany.
- MAESTRIA Consortium AFNET e.V., Münster, Germany.
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Halms T, Strasser M, Papazova I, Reicherts P, Zerbini G, Grundey S, Täumer E, Ohmer-Kluge M, Kunz M, Hasan A. What do healthcare workers need? A qualitative study on support strategies to protect mental health of healthcare workers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:195. [PMID: 36964558 PMCID: PMC10038365 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04686-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To support healthcare workers (HCWs) during the increased burden caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, numerous recommendations for action and possible interventions have been developed. However, the actual protective factors, needs and desires of those affected, as well as potential barriers to implementing psychological interventions, have been insufficiently examined. This study addresses this research gap and captures HCWs' experiences and views. METHODS Medical personnel including nursing staff and physicians were recruited for a qualitative study regarding protective factors as well as barriers to the implementation of support services. We conducted 21 individual, semi-structured interviews with members of the medical staff at tertiary care center in Germany. The collected data were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The analyses showed that social interaction in the professional and private context was rated as helpful in coping with the challenges of everyday work amplified by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The results also suggest that the available support services, despite being highly valued, were rarely accessed. Possible barriers included the fear of negative consequences when asking for support. It could be deduced that the fear and shame of admitting one's own mistakes as well as the work-related tradition of showing no weakness could be the underlying factors for this fear. RESULTS The results of this study suggest that medical staff need a more extensive range of low-threshold support services, which should be adapted to the respective needs of the professional groups. The study also provides indications that the norms and expectations represented in the hospital system require critical reflection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Halms
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Bezirkskrankenhaus, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Martina Strasser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Bezirkskrankenhaus, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Irina Papazova
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Bezirkskrankenhaus, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Reicherts
- Department of Medical Psychology and Sociology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Giulia Zerbini
- Department of Medical Psychology and Sociology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | | | - Esther Täumer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Miriam Kunz
- Department of Medical Psychology and Sociology, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Bezirkskrankenhaus, Augsburg, Germany
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Paquay M, Diep AN, Kabanda Z, Ancion A, Piazza J, Ghuysen A. Impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the hospital work environment and organization: A mixed-methods study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/20479700.2023.2190252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Méryl Paquay
- Emergency Department, University Hospital of Liege, Quartier Hôpital, Liege, Belgium
- Center for Medical Simulation of Liege, Quartier Hôpital, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Anh Nguyet Diep
- Biostatistics Unit, Quartier Hôpital, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Zoé Kabanda
- Center for Medical Simulation of Liege, Quartier Hôpital, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Aurore Ancion
- Emergency Department, University Hospital of Liege, Quartier Hôpital, Liege, Belgium
| | - Justine Piazza
- Emergency Department, University Hospital of Liege, Quartier Hôpital, Liege, Belgium
| | - Alexandre Ghuysen
- Emergency Department, University Hospital of Liege, Quartier Hôpital, Liege, Belgium
- Center for Medical Simulation of Liege, Quartier Hôpital, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
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Doepfmer S, Akdenizli K, Dashti H, Heintze C, Kaden F, Kuempel L, Kuschick D, Medrow N, Neidhardt-Akdenizli A, Otto-Gogoll S, Reicherdt I, Steenweg L, Toutaoui K. Changes to utilization and provision of health care in German GP practices during the COVID 19-pandemic: Protocol for a mixed methods study on the viewpoint of GPs, medical practice assistants, and patients. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279413. [PMID: 37053207 PMCID: PMC10101402 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During the COVID-19 pandemic, general practitioners (GPs) continued to be a main point of contact for patients. For GP practices, it was and still is a challenge to meet constantly changing requirements due to the various phases of the pandemic. The aim of the study is to explore retrospectively the subjective experience with supply and utilization of health care services from the perspective of general practitioners, medical practice assistants and patients, in particular regarding instances of underutilization of services for non-Covid related conditions, adjustments due to the pandemic, and the appropriateness of care. METHODS The study is carried out within the RESPoNsE research practice network in three of Germany's federal states: Berlin, Brandenburg, and Thuringia (RESPoNsE-Research practice network east). The study follows a convergent mixed method design, and consists of the following sections: a) two anonymous paper-based questionnaires filled out by GPs and medical practice assistants (MPAs), at an interval of 12 to 18 months; b) in-depth qualitative interviews conducted among a subgroup of GPs and MPAs; c) anonymous paper-based questionnaires among patients of participating practices. The idea for the study was derived from discussions with the practice advisory board of the RESPoNsE network. The themes and issues to be explored in the surveys and interviews are developed and discussed in the practice advisory board, the patient advisory board, and with interested MPAs. The questionnaires will be analyzed descriptively, exploring the effect of demographic variables. Qualitative content analysis is used to analyze the data from the interviews and focus groups. DISCUSSION The study focuses on the conditions of GP care during the COVID-19 pandemic. A broad insight is provided as GPs and MPAs, as well as patients, are involved. It provides the opportunity to express needs and concerns. The results can support future discussions on lessons learned from the pandemic and necessary changes in health care delivery. TRIAL REGISTRATION Trial registration at the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00028095.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Doepfmer
- Institute of General Practice, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Kemal Akdenizli
- Member of the RESPoNsE Practice Advisory Board, Practice in Berlin, Germany
| | - Hiwa Dashti
- Member of the RESPoNsE Practice Advisory Board, Practice in Brandenburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Heintze
- Institute of General Practice, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Kaden
- Member of the RESPoNsE Practice Advisory Board, Practice in Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa Kuempel
- Institute of General Practice, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Doreen Kuschick
- Institute of General Practice, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Natascha Medrow
- Member of the RESPoNsE Practice Advisory Board, Practice in Brandenburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Isabelle Reicherdt
- Member of the RESPoNsE Practice Advisory Board, Practice in Brandenburg, Germany
| | - Lydia Steenweg
- Member of the RESPoNsE Practice Advisory Board, Practice in Berlin, Germany
| | - Kahina Toutaoui
- Institute of General Practice, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
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Erschens R, Seifried-Dübon T, Stuber F, Rieger MA, Zipfel S, Nikendei C, Genrich M, Angerer P, Maatouk I, Gündel H, Rothermund E, Peters M, Junne F. The association of perceived leadership style and subjective well-being of employees in a tertiary hospital in Germany. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278597. [PMID: 36512621 PMCID: PMC9746986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Professionals in the healthcare sector are a particularly vulnerable group for occupational strain due to high work-related psychological stress. For the implementation of targeted stress-prevention interventions as an important part of a workplace health management programme for all occupational groups and hierarchy levels, information about the current state of their mental health is mandatory. Hence, this study investigated the association of general well-being and different leadership styles among employees in a German tertiary hospital. METHODS Via an online survey, 10,101 employees were contacted. The final sample consisted of 1137 employees. Of these, 27.7% described themselves as leaders and 72.3% as followers. Most participants were female (74.8%), more than half were under 41 years old. Besides control variables, general well-being (WHO-5) and leadership style (transactional and transformational, laissez-faire and destructive leadership) were assessed. RESULTS Leaders reported higher well-being scores than followers. Physicians without leadership responsibilities had the lowest scores for well-being. Practitioners of both transformational and transactional leadership were associated with higher well-being scores, while those practicing laissez-faire and destructive leadership had lower scores for almost every professional group. CONCLUSION Results highlight the necessity for future multimodal health-preventive leadership interventions feature behavioural and organizational intervention modules specifically tailored to hospital professionals at different hierarchical and functional levels to foster the mental health of employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Erschens
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Tanja Seifried-Dübon
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
| | - Felicitas Stuber
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
| | - Monika A. Rieger
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, University Hospital Tübingen, Tuebingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Zipfel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Nikendei
- Department for General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
| | - Melanie Genrich
- Institute of Psychology, Work and Organisational Psychology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Peter Angerer
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Imad Maatouk
- Department for General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
- Section of Psychosomatic Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Julius-Maximilian University Würzburg, Würzburg, Bayern, Germany
| | - Harald Gündel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
| | - Eva Rothermund
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
| | - Martin Peters
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Günzburg, Bayern, Germany
| | - Florian Junne
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
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García-Vivar C, Rodríguez-Matesanz I, San Martín-Rodríguez L, Soto-Ruiz N, Ferraz-Torres M, Escalada-Hernández P. Analysis of mental health effects among nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs 2022; 30:326-340. [PMID: 36270926 PMCID: PMC9874873 DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Working on the frontline during the pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of health professionals. A significant proportion experienced anxiety, insomnia, posttraumatic stress or depression. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Analysis and synthesis of the evidence of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nurses based on their work context. There exists a gap in the literature as no studies were found that analysed the effects on nurses' mental health according to the level of care they worked in (hospital-primary care-nursing home). WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: There is an urgent need to assess and respond to the impact of COVID-19 on the physical and mental well-being of nurses, and to monitor international policies for the improvement of nurses' working conditions. ABSTRACT: Introduction Health professionals have suffered negative consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic. No review has specifically addressed the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of nurses exclusively according to the work context. Aim To analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nurses who have worked in hospitals, primary care centres and social health centres. Method PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Cochrane databases were searched (Prospero number: CRD42021249513). Out of 706 papers, 31 studies (2020-2021) were included in the systematic review. A qualitative synthesis method was used to analyse the data. Results Most studies were conducted in hospitals or frontline settings. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe symptoms was for anxiety 29.55%, depression 38.79%, posttraumatic stress disorder 29.8%, and insomnia 40.66%. Discussion This review highlights the mental health effects among nurses working in acute hospital settings. It also evidences a data gap on mental health effects among nurses working in primary health care and in nursing homes. Implications for practice In the post phase of the pandemic, there is an urgent need to assess and respond to the impact on the mental well-being of nurses, and to monitor international policies for the improvement of nurses' working conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina García-Vivar
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Irati Rodríguez-Matesanz
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain.,Primary Care Research Group, BioDonostia Health Research Institute, IIS Biodonostia, Donostia - San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Leticia San Martín-Rodríguez
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Nelia Soto-Ruiz
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marta Ferraz-Torres
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Paula Escalada-Hernández
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
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Casjens S, Taeger D, Brüning T, Behrens T. Altered Mental Distress Among Employees From Different Occupational Groups and Industries During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany. J Occup Environ Med 2022; 64:874-880. [PMID: 35680647 PMCID: PMC9524512 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mental distress of employees from the financial, public transport, public service, and industrial sector was examined in a cross-sectional study during the second COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) wave in Germany and retrospectively at its beginning. METHODS Mental distress in terms of anxiety and depression symptoms was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. High and potential occupational SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection risk (OSIR) was defined based on job information from 1545 non-health care workers. RESULTS The risks for more severe mental distress symptoms increased threefold and twofold, respectively, among employees with high and potential OSIR compared with employees without OSIR. Mental distress severity differed by the extent of work-privacy conflicts, perceived job protection, interactions with colleagues, and overcommitment. CONCLUSIONS Reducing COVID-19 exposure through workplace protective measures, strengthening interactions among colleagues, and supporting employees with work-privacy conflicts could help better protect employees' mental health.
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Schwartz J, Schallenburger M, Tenge T, Batzler YN, Schlieper D, Kindgen-Milles D, Meier S, Niegisch G, Karger A, Roderburg C, Neukirchen M. Palliative Care e-Learning for Physicians Caring for Critically Ill and Dying Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Outcome Evaluation with Self-Assessed Knowledge and Attitude. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12377. [PMID: 36231676 PMCID: PMC9564513 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the care of critically ill and dying patients in isolation wards, intensive care units (ICUs), and regular wards was severely impaired. In order to support physicians in communicative and palliative care skills, an e-learning tool was developed as part of the joint project "Palliative Care in Pandemic Times" (PallPan). This study investigates the feasibility of this e-learning tool. Secondly, we aim to analyze changes in knowledge and attitude upon completion of the e-learning tool. A 38-item questionnaire-based evaluation study with assessment of global and specific outcomes including ICU and non-ICU physicians was performed. In total, 24 questionnaires were included in the anonymous analysis. Feasibility was confirmed by a very high rate of overall satisfaction (94% approval), with relevance reaching 99% approval. Overall, we detected high gains in knowledge and noticeably lower gains on the attitude plane, with the highest gain in naming reasons for incorporating palliative care. The lowest learning gain on the attitude plane was observed when the participants were confronted with their own mortality. This study shows that e-learning is a feasible tool for gaining knowledge and even changing the attitudes of physicians caring for critically ill and dying patients in a self-assessment evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Schwartz
- Interdisciplinary Center for Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Manuela Schallenburger
- Interdisciplinary Center for Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Theresa Tenge
- Interdisciplinary Center for Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Yann-Nicolas Batzler
- Interdisciplinary Center for Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Daniel Schlieper
- Interdisciplinary Center for Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Detlef Kindgen-Milles
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Meier
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Günter Niegisch
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - André Karger
- Institute for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Roderburg
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Neukirchen
- Interdisciplinary Center for Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
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Sun TK, Chu LC, Hui C. The Psychological Impact and Influencing Factors during Different Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in Central Taiwan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191710542. [PMID: 36078259 PMCID: PMC9517926 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to explore differences of psychological impact and influencing factors that affected Taiwanese healthcare workers (HCW) during the first and second wave of COVID-19. METHODS a cross sectional survey of first-line HCW during November 2021 to February 2022: 270 paper questionnaires were issued and the valid response rate was 86% (231). For statistical analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multivariate linear regression were used. RESULTS regardless of the wave of the pandemic, nearly 70% of HCW had anxiety, nearly 60% felt depressed, half of them suffered from insomnia, and one in three felt insufficient social support, which means a high level of loneliness. With an increased number of infected patients during the second wave, HCW felt significant changes of workload and schedule, with higher concern over risk of infection, and these factors induced higher levels of anxiety, but they manifested better satisfaction over public health policies and information provided by hospitals and governments. Changes of working schedules or duties positively relate to levels of anxiety and insomnia. The risk of infection causes anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Workplace relationships significantly relate to depression and loneliness. A negative family support causes an adverse psychological impact. CONCLUSIONS the pandemic has a negative psychological impact on HCW. Early recognition of significant influencing factors, providing psychological support and therapy, are helpful strategies for reducing the adverse psychological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teh-Kuang Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Kang Branch, Cheng Ching Hospital, Taichung City 40764, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
| | - Li-Chuan Chu
- School of Health Policy and Management, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Education, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
| | - Chun Hui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Kang Branch, Cheng Ching Hospital, Taichung City 40764, Taiwan
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Mediavilla R, Monistrol-Mula A, McGreevy KR, Felez-Nobrega M, Delaire A, Nicaise P, Palomo-Conti S, Bayón C, Bravo-Ortiz MF, Rodríguez-Vega B, Witteveen A, Sijbrandij M, Turrini G, Purgato M, Vuillermoz C, Melchior M, Petri-Romão P, Stoffers-Winterling J, Bryant RA, McDaid D, Park AL, Ayuso-Mateos JL. Mental health problems and needs of frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: A qualitative analysis. Front Public Health 2022; 10:956403. [PMID: 35968478 PMCID: PMC9363705 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.956403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) from COVID-19 hotspots worldwide have reported poor mental health outcomes since the pandemic's beginning. The virulence of the initial COVID-19 surge in Spain and the urgency for rapid evidence constrained early studies in their capacity to inform mental health programs accurately. Here, we used a qualitative research design to describe relevant mental health problems among frontline HCWs and explore their association with determinants and consequences and their implications for the design and implementation of mental health programs. Materials and methods Following the Programme Design, Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DIME) protocol, we used a two-step qualitative research design to interview frontline HCWs, mental health experts, administrators, and service planners in Spain. We used Free List (FL) interviews to identify problems experienced by frontline HCWs and Key informant (KI) interviews to describe them and explore their determinants and consequences, as well as the strategies considered useful to overcome these problems. We used a thematic analysis approach to analyze the interview outputs and framed our results into a five-level social-ecological model (intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public health). Results We recruited 75 FL and 22 KI interviewees, roughly balanced in age and gender. We detected 56 themes during the FL interviews and explored the following themes in the KI interviews: fear of infection, psychological distress, stress, moral distress, and interpersonal conflicts among coworkers. We found that interviewees reported perceived causes and consequences across problems at all levels (intrapersonal to public health). Although several mental health strategies were implemented (especially at an intrapersonal and interpersonal level), most mental health needs remained unmet, especially at the organizational, community, and public policy levels. Conclusions In keeping with available quantitative evidence, our findings show that mental health problems are still relevant for frontline HCWs 1 year after the COVID-19 pandemic and that many reported causes of these problems are modifiable. Based on this, we offer specific recommendations to design and implement mental health strategies and recommend using transdiagnostic, low-intensity, scalable psychological interventions contextually adapted and tailored for HCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Mediavilla
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Monistrol-Mula
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kerry R. McGreevy
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mireia Felez-Nobrega
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Audrey Delaire
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pablo Nicaise
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Carmen Bayón
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Fe Bravo-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Rodríguez-Vega
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anke Witteveen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Giulia Turrini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marianna Purgato
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Cécile Vuillermoz
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP, Research Team on Social Epidemiology, Paris, France
| | - Maria Melchior
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP, Research Team on Social Epidemiology, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Richard A. Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David McDaid
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - A-La Park
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - José Luis Ayuso-Mateos
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, La Princesa University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Madrid, Spain
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Mediavilla R, Fernández-Jiménez E, Martinez-Morata I, Jaramillo F, Andreo-Jover J, Morán-Sánchez I, Mascayano F, Moreno-Küstner B, Minué S, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Bryant RA, Bravo-Ortiz MF, Martínez-Alés G. Sustained Negative Mental Health Outcomes Among Healthcare Workers Over the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study. Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1604553. [PMID: 35814735 PMCID: PMC9266625 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To characterize the evolution of healthcare workers' mental health status over the 1-year period following the initial COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and to examine baseline characteristics associated with resolution or persistence of mental health problems over time. Methods: We conducted an 8-month follow-up cohort study. Eligible participants were healthcare workers working in Spain. Baseline data were collected during the initial pandemic outbreak. Survey-based self-reported measures included COVID-19-related exposures, sociodemographic characteristics, and three mental health outcomes (psychological distress, depression symptoms, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms). We examined three longitudinal trajectories in mental health outcomes between baseline and follow-up assessments (namely asymptomatic/stable, recovering, and persistently symptomatic/worsening). Results: We recruited 1,807 participants. Between baseline and follow-up assessments, the proportion of respondents screening positive for psychological distress and probable depression decreased, respectively, from 74% to 56% and from 28% to 21%. Two-thirds remained asymptomatic/stable in terms of depression symptoms and 56% remained symptomatic or worsened over time in terms of psychological distress. Conclusion: Poor mental health outcomes among healthcare workers persisted over time. Occupational programs and mental health strategies should be put in place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Mediavilla
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- University Hospital La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Fernández-Jiménez
- University Hospital La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- University Hospital La Paz, La Paz, Spain
| | - Irene Martinez-Morata
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, NY, United States
- Murcia BioHealth Research Institute, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Fabiola Jaramillo
- Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain
- University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge Andreo-Jover
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- University Hospital La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Morán-Sánchez
- Murcia BioHealth Research Institute, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Franco Mascayano
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, NY, United States
- New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), New York City, NY, United States
| | - Berta Moreno-Küstner
- Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatment, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Málaga, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Sergio Minué
- Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain
| | - José Luis Ayuso-Mateos
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Fundación Biomédica, Hospital de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Richard A. Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - María-Fe Bravo-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- University Hospital La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- University Hospital La Paz, La Paz, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Martínez-Alés
- University Hospital La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, NY, United States
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Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Workers in Health and Social Services in Germany. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19126983. [PMID: 35742231 PMCID: PMC9222999 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19126983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Health workers are at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infections. What follows the acute infection is rarely reported in the occupational context. This study examines the employees’ consequences of COVID-19 infection, the risk factors and the impact on quality of life over time. In this baseline survey, respondents were asked about their COVID-19 infection in 2020 and their current health situation. Out of 2053 participants, almost 73% experienced persistent symptoms for more than three months, with fatigue/exhaustion, concentration/memory problems and shortness of breath being most frequently reported. Risk factors were older age, female gender, previous illness, many and severe symptoms during the acute infection, and outpatient medical care. An impaired health-related quality of life was found in participants suffering from persistent symptoms. Overall, a high need for rehabilitation to improve health and work ability is evident. Further follow-up surveys will observe the changes and the impact of vaccination on the consequences of COVID-19 among health workers.
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Individual Stress Burden and Mental Health in Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Moderating and Mediating Effects of Resilience. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116545. [PMID: 35682131 PMCID: PMC9180092 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic generated a significant burden on the German health care system, affecting the mental health of health care workers (HCW) in particular. Resilience may serve as an essential protective factor for individuals’ well-being. Objective: Our objective was to identify demographic and work-related correlates of individual resilience and to investigate the association between pandemic-related stress, resilience and mental health using different resilience models. Methods: Our sample comprised 1034 German HCW in different medical professions who completed an online survey from 20 April to 1 July 2020. Resilience was assessed using the Resilience Scale-5 (RS-5). The pandemic-related self-reported stress burden was captured by a single item, while depression and anxiety symptoms were measured with the PHQ-2 and GAD-2, respectively. Additionally, various sociodemographic and work-related factors were assessed. Results: Overall, we found high levels of resilience in the sample compared to a German sample before the pandemic, which were significantly associated only with the older age of participants and having children in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Regarding mechanisms of resilience, moderation analysis revealed that low individual resilience and high pandemic-related stress burden independently contributed to both anxiety and depression symptoms while resilience additionally moderated the relationship between stress burden and anxiety symptoms. The link between self-reported stress burden and mental health symptoms was also partially mediated by individual resilience. Conclusion: Taken together, the findings based on the present sample during the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that resilience plays a central role in the mental health of healthcare workers and that resilience-building interventions should be expanded, especially with a focus on younger employees.
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Borusiak P, Mazheika Y, Bauer S, Haberlandt E, Krois I, Fricke C, Simon L, Beschoner P, Jerg-Bretzke L, Geiser F, Hiebel N, Weidner K, Albus C, Morawa E, Erim Y. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric developmental services: a cross-sectional study on overall burden and mental health status. Arch Public Health 2022; 80:113. [PMID: 35395839 PMCID: PMC8990278 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-022-00876-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 outbreak has taken a heavy toll on the mental well-being of healthcare workers, even those who have not been directly involved in the care of acutely ill patients. The aims of this study were to identify the overall burden and mental health status of healthcare workers in pediatric developmental services under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the risk and protective factors associated with mental health. METHODS This cross-sectional web-based study was part of a large multicenter VOICE study conducted among employees ((neuro-)pediatricians, psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc.) from various pediatric developmental services between June and July 2020. A total of 1291 questionnaires regarding overall burden, mental health status (depression, generalized anxiety disorder and emotional exhaustion) and risk and protective factors for mental health (working conditions, potential problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and psychological resources) were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS A total of 44.5% (574/1291) participants felt a high or very high overall burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of all the participants, 14.6% (171/1173) reported clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms, 17.0% (199/1173) reported generalized anxiety disorder symptoms and 44.6% (532/1192) reported emotional exhaustion. Multiple linear regression analyses identified several common risk and protective factors for mental health status variables. The burden of an increase in the quantity of work, fear of work and fear of becoming infected showed the strongest negative associations, whereas psychological resources and sufficient relaxation in leisure time exhibited the strongest positive associations. CONCLUSION Employees who were not directly involved in the care of acutely ill patients were also exposed to considerable stress, some of which was not different from that experienced by professionals who were directly affected. These employees should not be lost sight of and must be offered appropriate support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Borusiak
- Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
- Wagener-Foundation for Social Pediatrics, Emsdetten, Germany.
| | - Yuliya Mazheika
- Wagener-Foundation for Social Pediatrics, Emsdetten, Germany
| | - Susanne Bauer
- Aks - Arbeitskreis für Vorsorge- und Sozialmedizin, Bregenz, Austria
| | - Edda Haberlandt
- Aks - Arbeitskreis für Vorsorge- und Sozialmedizin, Bregenz, Austria
- Kinderklinik Dornbirn, Dornbirn, Austria
| | | | - Christian Fricke
- VIFF - Vereinigung für Interdisziplinäre Frühförderung - Bundesvereinigung, Hamburg, Germany
- Hochschule Nordhausen - University of Applied Sciences (UAS), Nordhausen, Germany
| | - Liane Simon
- VIFF - Vereinigung für Interdisziplinäre Frühförderung - Bundesvereinigung, Hamburg, Germany
- MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Petra Beschoner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nina Hiebel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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Silva-Costa A, Griep RH, Rotenberg L. [Perceived risk from COVID-19 and depression, anxiety, and stress among workers in healthcare units]. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2022; 38:e00198321. [PMID: 35293539 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00198321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective was to analyze associations between perceived risk from COVID-19 and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among workers in healthcare units. This was a cross-sectional study of workers from different professions who appeared voluntarily at one of the first COVID-19 Testing Centers in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The workers were invited to answer an online questionnaire from May to August 2020. The COVID-19 Risk Perception Scale and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were used. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Of the total sample (N = 2,996), 81.5% were women, and mean age was 40.7 years. About half presented mild, moderate, or severe depression, anxiety, or stress, and the rates for workers with severe symptoms were 18.5%, 29.6%, and 21.5%, respectively. The associations between perceived risk and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress increased with the increase in each symptom's severity. Workers with higher perceived risk from COVID-19 showed higher OR for severe symptoms of depression (OR = 4.67), anxiety (OR = 4.35), and stress (OR = 4.97). The findings point to the demand for measures to protect workers' health and that should not be limited to personal protective equipment. It is essential for health system administrators to promote collective spaces for discussion and actions to favor workers' recovery in the context of a prolonged pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lúcia Rotenberg
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Hannemann J, Abdalrahman A, Erim Y, Morawa E, Jerg-Bretzke L, Beschoner P, Geiser F, Hiebel N, Weidner K, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Albus C. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of medical staff considering the interplay of pandemic burden and psychosocial resources-A rapid systematic review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264290. [PMID: 35192662 PMCID: PMC8863237 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In times of the global corona pandemic health care workers (HCWs) fight the disease at the frontline of healthcare services and are confronted with an exacerbated load of pandemic burden. Psychosocial resources are thought to buffer adverse effects of pandemic stressors on mental health. This rapid review summarizes evidence on the specific interplay of pandemic burden and psychosocial resources with regard to the mental health of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal was to derive potential starting points for supportive interventions. METHODS We conducted a rapid systematic review following the recommendations of the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group. We searched 7 databases in February 2021 and included peer-reviewed quantitative studies, that reported related data on pandemic stressors, psychosocial resources, and mental health of HCWs. RESULTS 46 reports were finally included in the review and reported data on all three outcomes at hand. Most studies (n = 41) applied a cross-sectional design. Our results suggest that there are several statistically significant pandemic risk factors for mental health problems in HCWs such as high risk and fear of infection, while resilience, active and emotion-focused coping strategies as well as social support can be considered beneficial when protecting different aspects of mental health in HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence for patterns of interaction between outcomes were found in the context of coping style when facing specific pandemic stressors. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that several psychosocial resources may play an important role in buffering adverse effects of pandemic burden on the mental health of HCWs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, causal interpretations of mentioned associations are inadequate due to the overall low study quality and the dominance of cross-sectional study designs. Prospective longitudinal studies are required to elucidate the missing links.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Hannemann
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alan Abdalrahman
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, 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
| | - Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Petra Beschoner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nina Hiebel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department for Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
- Department for Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Schug C, Geiser F, Hiebel N, Beschoner P, Jerg-Bretzke L, Albus C, Weidner K, Morawa E, Erim Y. Sick Leave and Intention to Quit the Job among Nursing Staff in German Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19041947. [PMID: 35206136 PMCID: PMC8872054 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19041947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Background: Sick leave and turnover of nurses exacerbate an already existing nursing shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany and other countries. Frequency and associated factors of sick leave and intention to quit among nurses need to be examined to maintain healthcare. Methods: An online survey among nursing staff (N = 757) in German hospitals was conducted between May and July 2021. Sick leave days, intention to quit, working conditions, depression, anxiety and sleep disorder symptoms, effort-reward imbalance (ERI), COVID-19-related and sociodemographic variables were measured. Regression analyses were performed. Results: The intention to quit was present in 18.9%. One third (32.5%) reported sick leave of ≥10 and 12.3% more than 25 days in 12 months. Significant predictors for ≥10 sick leave days were infection with SARS-CoV-2, a pre-existing illness, exhaustion, trust in colleagues and fear of becoming infected. Higher ERI reward levels, perception of sufficient staff and contact with infected patients were associated with lower odds for ≥10 sick leave days. Lower reward levels, having changed work departments during the pandemic, working part-time and higher depression levels significantly predicted turnover intention. Conclusion: Alarmingly, many nurses intend to quit working in healthcare. Perceived reward seems to buffer both sick leave and turnover intention. Enhancing protection from COVID-19 and reducing workload might also prevent sick leave. Depression prevention, improved change management and support of part-time workers could contribute to reducing turnover intention among nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Schug
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (E.M.); (Y.E.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (F.G.); (N.H.)
| | - Nina Hiebel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Clinic of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (F.G.); (N.H.)
| | - Petra Beschoner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (P.B.); (L.J.-B.)
| | - Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (P.B.); (L.J.-B.)
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (E.M.); (Y.E.)
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (E.M.); (Y.E.)
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45
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Schug C, Erim Y, Geiser F, Hiebel N, Beschoner P, Jerg-Bretzke L, Albus C, Weidner K, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Borho A, Lieb M, Morawa E. [Vaccination willingness against COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Germany : Results from a University Medicine Network survey between November 2020 and January 2021]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2022; 65:74-85. [PMID: 34554277 PMCID: PMC8458789 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-021-03418-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is a continuing burden on society and the health system. The vaccination willingness among healthcare workers is of particular interest, as these groups play a key role in the pandemic response. OBJECTIVES The present study investigated how the willingness of healthcare workers in Germany to get vaccinated depends on sociodemographic, occupational, and COVID-19-specific characteristics, as well as mental health. METHODS Between November 2020 and January 2021, 6217 employees in the German healthcare system were questioned about their vaccination willingness, sociodemographic, occupational, COVID-19-specific, and psychosocial characteristics using the online VOICE survey within the framework of the University Medicine Network (NUM). RESULTS The vaccination willingness of the sample group was 65.3%. A higher vaccination willingness was associated with male gender; age > 40 years; having no children or no migration background; not working in direct patient care; belonging to a COVID-19 risk group or professional group of physicians and psychologists in comparison with nursing staff; feeling sufficiently informed about COVID-19 and protected by the measures of the national or local authorities and the employer; fear of infection; and lack of signs of depression. Physicians showed the highest willingness to get vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS During the study period, an overall moderate vaccination willingness against COVID-19 in the health sector was described. Information about the disease and vaccination, especially for younger people, females, and non-physicians, adequate protective measures and prevention of depressive symptoms could increase the vaccination willingness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Schug
- Psychosomatische und Psychotherapeutische Abteilung, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland.
| | - Yesim Erim
- Psychosomatische und Psychotherapeutische Abteilung, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinik Bonn, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Nina Hiebel
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinik Bonn, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Petra Beschoner
- Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Ulm, Deutschland
| | - Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Ulm, Deutschland
| | - Christian Albus
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinik, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität zu Köln, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum C. G. Carus, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland
| | - Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum C. G. Carus, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland
| | - Andrea Borho
- Psychosomatische und Psychotherapeutische Abteilung, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - Marietta Lieb
- Psychosomatische und Psychotherapeutische Abteilung, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - Eva Morawa
- Psychosomatische und Psychotherapeutische Abteilung, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland
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Mo D, Min K, Gluck R, Jiang F, Tao R, Geng F, Xia L, Liu T, Liu Y, Liu H, Tang YL. Alcohol Use and Misuse Among Chinese Psychiatrists During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:933814. [PMID: 35815044 PMCID: PMC9258332 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.933814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Survey alcohol use and misuse among Chinese psychiatrists during the Coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS We conducted a large-scale, nationwide online survey of psychiatrists regarding their alcohol use during the pandemic. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) was used to assess alcohol use and misuse. RESULTS Of 3,815 psychiatrists who completed the survey, alcohol use and misus were 47.5% and 8.2%, respectively, and both were significantly higher in males. The majority (59%) reported no change in alcohol use during the pandemic, one-third (34.5%) reported a decrease, and 6.5% reported an increase. Alcohol misuse was associated with middle-age (OR = 1.418), male sex (OR = 5.089), Northeast China (OR = 1.507), cigarette-smoking (OR = 2.335), insomnia (OR = 1.660), and regular exercise (OR = 1.488). A master's degree (OR = 0.714) and confidence in clinical work (OR = 0.610) were associated with less alcohol misuse. Those who reported a decrease in alcohol use during the pandemic were more likely to be male (OR = 2.011), located in Northeast China (OR = 1.994), and feel confident in their clinical work (OR = 1.624). Increased alcohol use was significantly associated with insomnia (OR = 3.139). CONCLUSIONS During the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol use and misuse among Chinese psychiatrists declined. While males were more likely to misuse alcohol, they were also more likely to have reduced their intake. Age, location, and lifestyle factors also predicted alcohol use and misuse. Further examination of specific factors that reduced alcohol use and misuse may help guide public health efforts to sustain the lower rates beyond the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daming Mo
- Department of Psychiatry, Chao Hu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Psychiatry, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Kaiyuan Min
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Rachel Gluck
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Feng Jiang
- School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Healthy Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Tao
- Department of Psychiatry, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Feng Geng
- Department of Psychiatry, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Xia
- Department of Psychiatry, Chao Hu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Tingfang Liu
- School of Health Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanli Liu
- School of Health Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Huanzhong Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chao Hu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yi-Lang Tang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA, United States
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Meine LE, Strömer E, Schönfelder S, Eckhardt EI, Bergmann AK, Wessa M. Look After Yourself: Students Consistently Showing High Resilience Engaged in More Self-Care and Proved More Resilient During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:784381. [PMID: 34992556 PMCID: PMC8725157 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.784381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted severe restrictions on everyday life to curb the spread of infections. For example, teaching at universities has been switched to an online format, reducing students' opportunities for exchange, and social interaction. Consequently, their self-reported mental health has significantly decreased and there is a pressing need to elucidate the underlying mechanisms-ideally considering not only data collected during the pandemic, but also before. One hundred seventeen German university students aged 18-27 were assessed for known resilience factors (optimism, self-care, social support, generalized self-efficacy) and subsequently completed surveys on stress experiences and mental health every 3 months over a period of 9 months before the outbreak of the pandemic and once during the first lockdown in Germany. For each timepoint before the pandemic, we regressed participants' mental health against the reported stressor load, such that the resulting residuals denote better or worse than expected outcomes, i.e., the degree of resilient functioning. We then tested whether different expressions in the resilience factors were predictive of distinct resilient functioning trajectories, which were identified through latent class growth analysis. Finally, we investigated whether trajectory class, resilience factors, and perceived stress predicted resilience during the pandemic. Results show rather stable resilient functioning trajectories, with classes differing mainly according to degree rather than change over time. More self-care was associated with a higher resilient functioning trajectory, which in turn was linked with the most favorable pandemic response (i.e., lower perceived stress and more self-care). Although findings should be interpreted with caution given the rather small sample size, they represent a rare examination of established resilience factors in relation to resilience over an extended period and highlight the relevance of self-care in coping with real-life stressors such as the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Meine
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eike Strömer
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Research Group Wessa, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sandra Schönfelder
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Research Group Wessa, Mainz, Germany
| | - Eliza I. Eckhardt
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Research Group Wessa, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anna K. Bergmann
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Research Group Wessa, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michèle Wessa
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Research Group Wessa, Mainz, Germany
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48
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Schneider JN, Hiebel N, Kriegsmann-Rabe M, Schmuck J, Erim Y, Morawa E, Jerg-Bretzke L, Beschoner P, Albus C, Hannemann J, Weidner K, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Radbruch L, Brunsch H, Geiser F. Moral Distress in Hospitals During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Survey Among 3,293 Healthcare Workers Within the German Network University Medicine. Front Psychol 2021; 12:775204. [PMID: 34867685 PMCID: PMC8636670 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.775204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between moral distress and mental health symptoms, socio-demographic, occupational, and COVID-19-related variables, and to determine differences in healthcare workers’ (HCW) moral distress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Data from 3,293 HCW from a web-based survey conducted between the 20th of April and the 5th of July 2020 were analyzed. We focused on moral distress (Moral Distress Thermometer, MDT), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, PHQ-2), anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2, GAD-2), and increased general distress of nurses, physicians, medical-technical assistants (MTA), psychologists/psychotherapists, and pastoral counselors working in German hospitals. Results: The strongest correlations for moral distress were found with depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, occupancy rate at current work section, and contact with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Nurses and MTA experienced significantly higher moral distress than physicians, psychologists/psychotherapists, and pastoral counselors. The average level of moral distress reported by nurses from all work areas was similar to levels which before the pandemic were only experienced by nurses in intensive or critical care units. Conclusion: Results indicate that moral distress is a relevant phenomenon among HCW in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of whether they work at the frontline or not and requires urgent attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Nora Schneider
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nina Hiebel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Milena Kriegsmann-Rabe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jonas Schmuck
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lucia Jerg-Bretzke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Petra Beschoner
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Julian Hannemann
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lukas Radbruch
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Holger Brunsch
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
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49
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[Anesthesiology Seminar in Times of COVID-19: a Hybrid Model evolving from Digital and Virtual Lessons]. Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther 2021; 56:782-790. [PMID: 34820816 DOI: 10.1055/a-1543-2913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
On March 14, 2020, the first Bavaria-wide exit restriction was imposed and university teaching in its familiar form was drastically restricted. For intensive care physicians and anesthetists, there was a special area of tension in many places due to the extraordinary demand for the treatment of critically ill patients and the restructuring and maintenance of teaching. We report on the realignment of the anesthesia seminar in an online flipped classroom and the development towards a hybrid model. As such, an adequate transfer of knowledge could take place under difficult conditions and at the same time the teaching concept could be further developed.
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50
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Hiltrop K, Hiebel N, Geiser F, Kriegsmann-Rabe M, Gambashidze N, Morawa E, Erim Y, Weidner K, Albus C, Ernstmann N. Measuring COVID-19 Related Health Literacy in Healthcare Professionals-Psychometric Evaluation of the HL-COV-HP Instrument. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182211959. [PMID: 34831720 PMCID: PMC8624823 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182211959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thus far, there is no instrument available measuring COVID-19 related health literacy of healthcare professionals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop an instrument assessing COVID-19 related health literacy in healthcare professionals (HL-COV-HP) and evaluate its psychometric properties. METHODS An exploratory factor analysis, a confirmatory factor analysis, and descriptive analyses were conducted using data from n = 965 healthcare professionals. Health literacy related to COVID-19 was measured with 12 items, which were adapted from the validated HLS-EU-Q16 instrument measuring general health literacy. RESULTS Exploratory factor analysis demonstrated that 12 items loaded on one component. After removing one item due to its high standardized residual covariance, the confirmatory factor analysis of a one-factor model with 11 items showed satisfactory model fit (χ2 = 199.340, df = 41, χ2/df = 4.862, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.063, CFI = 0.963 and TLI = 0.951). The HL-COV-HP instrument showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.87) and acceptable construct reliability. CONCLUSIONS The HL-COV-HP is a reliable, valid, and feasible instrument to assess the COVID-19 related health literacy in healthcare professionals. It can be used in hospitals or other healt hcare settings to assess the motivation and ability of healthcare professionals to find, understand, evaluate, and use COVID-19 information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kati Hiltrop
- Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research (CHSR), Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-228-287-11803
| | - Nina Hiebel
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (N.H.); (F.G.); (M.K.-R.)
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (N.H.); (F.G.); (M.K.-R.)
| | - Milena Kriegsmann-Rabe
- Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany; (N.H.); (F.G.); (M.K.-R.)
| | - Nikoloz Gambashidze
- Institute for Patient Safety, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Eva Morawa
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (E.M.); (Y.E.)
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (E.M.); (Y.E.)
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department for Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Christian Albus
- Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Nicole Ernstmann
- Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research (CHSR), Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany;
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