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Kitto C, Lamb D, Billings J. Responding to the call of the NHS Nightingale, but at what cost? An auto-ethnography of a volunteer frontline mental health trainer's experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Health Psychol 2024; 29:534-551. [PMID: 38083867 DOI: 10.1177/13591053231213478] [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] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthcare workers, globally, volunteered time and skills to the COVID-19 pandemic frontline response. In March 2020, the predicted high demand for extra critical care beds led to the rapid construction of the UK National Health Service (NHS) Nightingale field hospital, London. I volunteered to develop and deliver psychological preparedness training - coined 'Psychological PPE' - to over 2300 frontline staff over an 8-week period. Existing research has identified broad themes of the impact working on the COVID-19 frontline has on healthcare workers but does not capture in-depth accounts of individuals' experiences. Using autoethnographic enquiry, this research explores my frontline experience at the NHS Nightingale during this time, and the personal impact this had on me. Reflexive thematic analysis explored themes of recognition and sacrifice, emotional lability and fragility, and the impact of transitions. Findings inform personal recovery, as well as future research and policy development pertaining to the sustainable recovery of our NHS people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Kitto
- UCL, UK
- Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, UK
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2
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De Kock JH, Latham HA. Will we ever be the same again? The mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care staff and institutions. Cytopathology 2023; 34:450-455. [PMID: 37128960 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.13242] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
As a group, health care workers (HCWs) were vulnerable to poor mental health (MH) prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The added burdens of COVID-19 have put extra stressors on the health system and its most precious resource-its workers. This pandemic has exacerbated already poor MH in HCWs, leading to a workforce that is burnt out and struggling to cope with growing demands. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, risk factors for poor HCW mental health have been identified. The changes in practices brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and identified as risk factors for poor MH that were experienced in other areas of health care and medical establishments were also witnessed by HCWs working in cytology. Indeed, all health care staff have been affected by this pandemic, and we now know that MH problems in HCWs are negatively impacting the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath as they adversely influence quality of care. The question is then rightfully asked: Will we, as health care staff working in medical establishments, ever be the same again, or has COVID-19 forever changed our working lives? Fortunately, protective factors and multi-level interventions associated with adaptive MH outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic have also been identified. In this article, we conclude that whilst working life is unlikely to return to pre-pandemic practices, the health care system now has an opportunity to promote individual and systemic growth by adhering to the principles that protect HCWs' MH and mitigate burnout during these challenging times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes H De Kock
- Department of Clinical Psychology, New Craigs Psychiatric Hospital, Inverness, UK
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Cogan N, McGibbon M, Gardiner A, Morton L. Understanding the Mental Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Railway Workers: Risks and Protective Factors. J Occup Environ Med 2023; 65:172-183. [PMID: 36109012 PMCID: PMC9897125 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002711] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Railway workers have provided an essential service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the effects of COVID-19 on the mental well-being of railway workers (N = 906) in the United Kingdom during the third lockdown period. METHOD The online survey included measures of COVID-19-related risk factors (perceived risk, stress, burnout, trauma) and protective factors (resilience coping, team resilience, general help seeking) associated with mental well-being. Responses were analyzed using multiple regression and content analysis. RESULTS COVID-19-related risk factors negatively predicted well-being. Higher scores on adaptive resilience, intentions to seek help, and team resilience significantly predicted higher mental well-being scores. Mental health decline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns for the future were reported. CONCLUSIONS Building a resilient railway workforce requires attention to staff mental well-being and to ensuring that support systems are robust and accessible.
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De Kock JH, Latham HA, Cowden RG. The mental health of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2022; 35:311-316. [PMID: 35855506 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Mental health (MH) problems among healthcare workers (HCWs) have the potential to impact negatively on the capacity of health systems to respond effectively to COVID-19. A thorough understanding of the factors that degrade or promote the MH of HCWs is needed to design and implement suitable intervention strategies to support the wellbeing of this population. RECENT FINDINGS MH problems among HCWs were elevated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Accumulating evidence indicates that this public health crisis has had a disproportionately negative impact on the MH of specialised populations, including HCWs. Literature from prior health pandemics suggests that the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the MH of HCWs are likely to persist in the aftermath of the public health crisis. Primary and secondary risk factors for adverse MH outcomes have been identified and should be considered when implementing interventions to protect the MH of HCWs. SUMMARY The MH of HCWs has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having a detrimental influence on the public health response to COVID-19. Protecting the MH of HCWs both during and beyond this public health crisis should remain a top priority, with particular emphasis on multifaceted interventions that aim to balance the psychological needs of individual HCWs with organisational-level strategies that could be targeted to promote their wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Richard G Cowden
- Human Flourishing Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Fida R, Paciello M, Watson D, Nayani R. The protective role of work self-efficacy on wellbeing during COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a longitudinal year-long study. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2022; 197:111760. [PMID: 35677891 PMCID: PMC9163044 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2022.111760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Javakhishvili JD, Arnberg F, Greenberg N, Kazlauskas E, Lotzin A, Xavier M. Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe: five lessons from the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2046330. [PMID: 35558684 PMCID: PMC9090369 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2022.2046330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The paper provides insights into the mental health consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from the Central, Eastern, Nordic, Southern, and Western subregions of Europe, represented by five member countries of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS). On the basis of the existing national research and experiences in these countries, we propose five lessons learned. (1) There is no evidence of a mental health pandemic so far in the countries in focus. No increase in severe mental disorders but some increase in the symptoms of common mental health disorders are observable. More high-quality longitudinal studies are needed to understand the mental health burden of the pandemic. (2) The pandemic affects countries (including the mental health situation) differently, depending on the level of the exposure, management policies, pre-pandemic structural characteristics, and healthcare resources. (3) The pandemic affects people differently: the exposure severity to pandemic-related stressors differs between individuals, as well as individual resources to cope with these stressors. There are winners and losers as well as identifiable at-risk groups that need particular attention. (4) Besides the negative consequences, the pandemic has had a positive impact. The rapidly applied innovations within the system of healthcare responses provide a window of opportunity for positive changes in mental healthcare policies, strategies, and practices. The increased focus on mental health during the pandemic may contribute to the prioritization of mental health issues at policy-making and organizational levels and may reduce stigma. (5) A stress- and trauma-informed response to COVID-19 is required. The European community of psychotraumatologists under the leadership of ESTSS plays an important role in promoting stress- and trauma-informed healthcare and policies of pandemic management. Based on the lessons learned, we propose a stepped-care public mental health model for the prevention of adverse mental health outcomes during pandemics. HIGHLIGHTS Population mental health is affected differently in the COVID-19 pandemic: there are winners and losers, as well as identifiable at-risk groups that need particular attention.A stress- and trauma-informed public mental health stepped-care model can address pandemic-related mental health burden in a systematic way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana D. Javakhishvili
- Institute of Addiction Studies, School of Arts and Science, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Filip Arnberg
- National Centre for Disaster Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Evaldas Kazlauskas
- Center for Psychotraumatology, Institute of Psychology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Annett Lotzin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Miguel Xavier
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, NOVA Medical School, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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Gnanapragasam SN, Hodson A, Smith LE, Greenberg N, Rubin GJ, Wessely S. COVID-19 survey burden for health care workers: literature review and audit. Public Health 2022; 206:94-101. [PMID: 35489796 PMCID: PMC8148427 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Concerns have been raised about the quantity and quality of research conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly related to the mental health and wellbeing of health care workers (HCWs). For understanding the volume, source, methodological rigour and degree of overlap in COVID-19, studies were conducted among HCWs in the United Kingdom (UK). Study design Mixed methods approach, literature review and audit. Methods First, a literature review of published research studies and second, an audit of studies HCWs have been invited to complete. For the literature review, we searched Medline, PsycINFO and Nexis, webpages of three medical organisations (Royal Society of Medicine, Royal College of Nursing and British Medical Association), and the YouGov website. For the audit, a non-random purposive sample of six HCWs from different London NHS Trusts reviewed email, WhatsApp and SMS messages they received for study invitations. Results The literature review identified 27 studies; the audit identified 70 study invitations. Studies identified by the literature review were largely of poor methodological rigour: only eight studies (30%) provided response rate, one study (4%) reported having ethical approval, and one study (4%) reported funding details. There was substantial overlap in the topics measured. In the audit, volunteers received a median of 12 invitations. The largest number of study invitations were for national surveys (n = 23), followed by local surveys (n = 16) and research surveys (n = 8). Conclusion HCWs have been asked to complete numerous surveys that frequently have methodological shortcomings and overlapping aims. Many studies do not follow scientific good-practice and generate questionable, non-generalisable results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Hodson
- Department of War Studies, King's College London, London, UK
| | - L E Smith
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - N Greenberg
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - G J Rubin
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - S Wessely
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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De Kock JH, Latham HA, Cowden RG, Cullen B, Narzisi K, Jerdan S, Munoz SA, Leslie SJ, Stamatis A, Eze J. Brief Digital Interventions to Support the Psychological Well-being of NHS Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic: 3-Arm Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Ment Health 2022; 9:e34002. [PMID: 35044927 PMCID: PMC8982650 DOI: 10.2196/34002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health and social care staff are at high risk of experiencing adverse mental health (MH) outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, there is a need to prioritize and identify ways to effectively support their psychological well-being (PWB). Compared to traditional psychological interventions, digital psychological interventions are cost-effective treatment options that allow for large-scale dissemination and transcend social distancing, overcome rurality, and minimize clinician time. OBJECTIVE This study reports MH outcomes of a Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT)-compliant parallel-arm pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining the potential usefulness of an existing and a novel digital psychological intervention aimed at supporting psychological health among National Health Service (NHS) staff working through the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS NHS Highland (NHSH) frontline staff volunteers (N=169) were randomly assigned to the newly developed NHSH Staff Wellbeing Project (NHSWBP), an established digital intervention (My Possible Self [MPS]), or a waitlist (WL) group for 4 weeks. Attempts were made to blind participants to which digital intervention they were allocated. The interventions were fully automated, without any human input or guidance. We measured 5 self-reported psychological outcomes over 3 time points: before (baseline), in the middle of (after 2 weeks), and after treatment (4 weeks). The primary outcomes were anxiety (7-item General Anxiety Disorder), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire), and mental well-being (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale). The secondary outcomes included mental toughness (Mental Toughness Index) and gratitude (Gratitude Questionnaire-6). RESULTS Retention rates mid- and postintervention were 77% (n=130) and 63.3% (n=107), respectively. Postintervention, small differences were noted between the WL and the 2 treatment groups on anxiety (vs MPS: Cohen d=0.07, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.33; vs NHSWBP: Cohen d=0.06, 95% CI -0.19 to 0.31), depression (vs MPS: Cohen d=0.37, 95% CI 0.07-0.66; vs NHSWBP: Cohen d=0.18, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.46), and mental well-being (vs MPS: Cohen d=-0.04, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.08; vs NHSWBP: Cohen d=-0.15, 95% CI -0.41 to 0.10). A similar pattern of between-group differences was found for the secondary outcomes. The NHSWBP group generally had larger within-group effects than the other groups and displayed a greater rate of change compared to the other groups on all outcomes, except for gratitude, where the rate of change was greatest for the MPS group. CONCLUSIONS Our analyses provided encouraging results for the use of brief digital psychological interventions in improving PWB among health and social care workers. Future multisite RCTs, with power to reliably detect differences, are needed to determine the efficacy of contextualized interventions relative to existing digital treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN Registry (ISRCTN) ISRCTN18107122; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18107122.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes H De Kock
- Division of Rural Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health Research and Innovation, School of Health, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Psychology, New Craigs Psychiatric Hospital, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | | | - Richard G Cowden
- Human Flourishing Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Breda Cullen
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Katia Narzisi
- Division of Rural Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health Research and Innovation, School of Health, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Shaun Jerdan
- Division of Rural Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health Research and Innovation, School of Health, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah-Anne Munoz
- Division of Rural Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health Research and Innovation, School of Health, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen J Leslie
- Cardiac Unit, Raigmore Hospital, NHS Highland, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Stamatis
- Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, State University of New York, Plattsburgh, NY, United States
| | - Jude Eze
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College, Inverness, United Kingdom
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Oliveira MMD, Treichel CADS, Bakolis I, Alves PF, Coimbra VCC, Cavada GP, Sperb LCSDO, Guedes ADC, Antonacci MH, Willrich JQ. Mental health of nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study. Rev Saude Publica 2022; 56:8. [PMID: 35293941 PMCID: PMC8910133 DOI: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056004122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence of and factors associated with: (1) major depressive episodes; (2) minor psychiatric disorders (MPDs); and (3) suicidal ideation among nursing professionals from a municipality in southern Brazil. METHODS Using a cross-sectional design, we recruited 890 nursing professionals linked to 50 Primary Care units, 2 walk-in clinics, 2 hospital services, 1 emergency room service, 1 mobile emergency care service, and 1 teleconsultation service, in addition to the municipal epidemiological surveillance service and the vacancy regulation center between June and July 2020. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire to evaluate the studied outcomes. Associations between the outcomes and variables related to sociodemographic profile, work, health conditions, and daily life were explored using Poisson regression models with robust variance estimators. RESULTS The observed prevalence of depression, MPDs, and suicidal ideation were 36.6%, 44%, and 7.4%, respectively. MPDs were associated with the assessment of support received by the service as ‘regular’ (PR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.19–1.85) or ‘poor’ (PR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.23–1.94), with a reported moderate (PR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.29–2.07), or heavy (PR: 2.54; 95% CI: 2.05–3.15) workload, and with suspected COVID-19 infection (PR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.25–1.66). Major depressive episodes were associated with a reported lack of personal protective equipment (PR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01–1.42), whereas suicidal ideation was inversely related to per capita income > 3 minimum monthly wages (PR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.11–0.68), and positively related to the use of psychotropic drugs (PR: 3.14; 95% CI: 1.87–5.26). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that nursing professionals’ working conditions are associated with their mental health status. The need to improve working conditions through adequate dimensioning, support and proper biosafety measures is only heightened in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ioannis Bakolis
- Kings College. Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. London, United Kingdom
| | - Poliana Farias Alves
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Faculdade de Enfermagem. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | | | - Gustavo Pachon Cavada
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Faculdade de Enfermagem. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | | | - Ariane da Cruz Guedes
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Faculdade de Enfermagem. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - Milena Hohmann Antonacci
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Faculdade de Enfermagem. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Pelotas, RS, Brasil
| | - Janaína Quinzen Willrich
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Faculdade de Enfermagem. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Pelotas, RS, Brasil
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Stephens T, Vail EA, Billings J. Silver linings: will the COVID-19 pandemic instigate long overdue mental health support services for healthcare workers? Br J Anaesth 2022; 128:912-914. [PMID: 35428511 PMCID: PMC8940569 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2022.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A study in this month’s journal adds to the growing body of evidence regarding the potential mental health impacts on frontline healthcare staff working during the COVID-19 pandemic. As clinical academics representing critical care, nursing, and medicine, and a psychologist guiding support for frontline health and social workers, we offer our perspectives on this study. We discuss the balance between pragmatic and rigorous data collection on this topic and offer perspectives on the observed differential impact on nurses. Finally, we suggest that the pandemic might have a positive effect by instigating more robust mental health support services for National Health Service workers.
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Abstract
This review covers the thematic series of 22 papers selected from among manuscripts published by BJPsych Open concerning coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and healthcare. We report nine papers that cover concepts and epidemiology relating to the public and patients. We review 11 papers about the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare services and their staff in 15 countries. Two papers consider the psychosocial impact on staff working in mental health services in the UK. Most papers report cross-sectional analyses of data collected from convenience samples by self-reported surveys conducted at single times. They have limitations of generalisability, do not enable conclusions about diagnosis or causality, and many are likely to have attendant bias and noise. BJPsych Open published these papers to meet requirements for early indications of the mental health impact of COVID-19 on the public and on healthcare staff. They claim high prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. We contrast these findings with selected reports of studies with different methodologies published elsewhere. We emphasise the need for longitudinal clinical studies with refined sampling and methodological rigour. We identify several longitudinal research programmes; two in this series. We advocate tuning advice offered about caring for the public and healthcare staff to the realities of their circumstances and their perceptions of need in the context of findings from further longitudinal studies. We draw attention to the importance of the social, relationship and environmental circumstances of the public and healthcare staff in order to understand their distress and their risks of developing mental health disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Williams
- Professor Emeritus of Mental Health Strategy, Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care, University of South Wales, UK; Presidential Lead for COVID-19, Emergency Preparedness and Mental Health to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK; and Director of the Psychosocial and Mental Health Programme for the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kenneth R Kaufman
- Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Anesthesiology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, USA; and Visiting Professor, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
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12
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De Kock JH, Ann Latham H, Cowden RG, Cullen B, Narzisi K, Jerdan S, Muñoz SA, Leslie SJ, McNamara N, Boggon A, Humphry RW. The mental health of NHS staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: two-wave Scottish cohort study. BJPsych Open 2022; 8:e23. [PMID: 35043077 PMCID: PMC8755549 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2021.1079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health and social care workers (HSCWs) are at risk of experiencing adverse mental health outcomes (e.g. higher levels of anxiety and depression) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This can have a detrimental effect on quality of care, the national response to the pandemic and its aftermath. AIMS A longitudinal design provided follow-up evidence on the mental health (changes in prevalence of disease over time) of NHS staff working at a remote health board in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigated the determinants of mental health outcomes over time. METHOD A two-wave longitudinal study was conducted from July to September 2020. Participants self-reported levels of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7) and mental well-being (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale) at baseline and 1.5 months later. RESULTS The analytic sample of 169 participants, working in community (43%) and hospital (44%) settings, reported substantial levels of depression and anxiety, and low mental well-being at baseline (depression, 30.8%; anxiety, 20.1%; well-being, 31.9%). Although mental health remained mostly constant over time, the proportion of participants meeting the threshold for anxiety increased to 27.2% at follow-up. Multivariable modelling indicated that working with, and disruption because of, COVID-19 were associated with adverse mental health changes over time. CONCLUSIONS HSCWs working in a remote area with low COVID-19 prevalence reported substantial levels of anxiety and depression, similar to those working in areas with high COVID-19 prevalence. Efforts to support HSCW mental health must remain a priority, and should minimise the adverse effects of working with, and disruption caused by, the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes H De Kock
- Institute for Health Research and Innovation, University of the Highlands and Islands; and Department of Clinical Psychology, New Craigs Psychiatric Hospital, NHS Highland, UK
| | | | - Richard G Cowden
- Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, USA
| | - Breda Cullen
- Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Katia Narzisi
- Institute for Health Research and Innovation, University of the Highlands and Islands, UK
| | - Shaun Jerdan
- Institute for Health Research and Innovation, University of the Highlands and Islands, UK
| | - Sarah-Anne Muñoz
- Institute for Health Research and Innovation, University of the Highlands and Islands, UK
| | - Stephen J Leslie
- Institute for Health Research and Innovation, University of the Highlands and Islands; and Cardiac Unit, Raigmore Hospital, NHS Highland, UK
| | - Neil McNamara
- Department of Psychiatry, New Craigs Psychiatric Hospital, NHS Highland, UK
| | - Adam Boggon
- University College London Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, UK
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13
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Rathod S, Pallikadavath S, Graves E, Rahman MM, Brooks A, Soomro MG, Rathod P, Phiri P. Impact of lockdown relaxation and implementation of the face-covering policy on mental health: A United Kingdom COVID-19 study. World J Psychiatry 2021; 11:1346-1365. [PMID: 35070782 PMCID: PMC8717029 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v11.i12.1346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pandemic mitigation policies, such as lockdown, are known to impact on mental health of individuals. Compulsory face covering under relaxed lockdown restrictions gives assurance of less transmission of airborne infection and has the potential to improve mental health of individuals affected by restrictions. AIM To examine the association of the lockdown relaxation and the implementation of the face covering policy on the mental health of the general population and sub-groups in the United Kingdom using interrupted time series model. METHODS Using a web-based cross-sectional survey of 28890 United Kingdom adults carried out during May 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020, changes in mental health status using generalised anxiety disorder (GAD-7), and impact of events scale-revised (IES-R) scales are examined, at the dates of the first lockdown relaxation (July 4, 2020) and the subsequent introduction of face covering (July 24, 2020) in United Kingdom. A sharp regression discontinuity design is used to check discontinuities in mental health outcomes at policy-change dates. RESULTS Average GAD-7 scores of participants were 5.6, 5.6 and 4.3 during the lockdown period, the lockdown relaxation phase and the phase of compulsory face covering, respectively, with lower scores indicating lower anxiety levels. Corresponding scores for IES-R were 17.3, 16.8 and 13.4, with lower scores indicating less distress. Easing lockdown measures and subsequent introduction of face covering, on average, reduced GAD-7 by 0.513 (95%CI: 0.913-0.112) and 1.148 (95%CI: 1.800-0.496), respectively. Corresponding reductions in IES-R were 2.620 (95%CI: 4.279-0.961) and 3.449 (95%CI: 5.725-1.172). These imply that both lockdown relaxation and compulsory face-covering have a positive association with mental health scores (GAD-7 and IES-R). CONCLUSION The differential impact of lockdown and relaxation on the mental health of population sub-groups is evident in this study with future implications for policy. Introduction of face covering in public places had a stronger positive association with mental health than lockdown relaxation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanaya Rathod
- Department of Research and Development, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO30 3JB, Hampshire, United Kingdom
- Portsmouth-Brawijaya Centre for Global Health, Population and Policy, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, United Kingdom
| | - Saseendran Pallikadavath
- School of Health and Care Professions, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, Hampshire, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Graves
- Department of Research and Development, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO30 3JB, Hampshire, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman
- School of Health and Care Professions, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, Hampshire, United Kingdom
| | - Ashlea Brooks
- Department of Research and Development, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO30 3JB, Hampshire, United Kingdom
| | - Mustafa G Soomro
- Mental Health, Solent NHS Trust, Portsmouth P03 6AD, United Kingdom
| | - Pranay Rathod
- PPI, PPI Representative, London SO30 3JB, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Phiri
- Department of Research and Development, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton SO30 3JB, Hampshire, United Kingdom
- Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 5ST, United Kingdom
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14
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Lamb D, Gnanapragasam S, Greenberg N, Bhundia R, Carr E, Hotopf M, Razavi R, Raine R, Cross S, Dewar A, Docherty M, Dorrington S, Hatch S, Wilson-Jones C, Leightley D, Madan I, Marlow S, McMullen I, Rafferty AM, Parsons M, Polling C, Serfioti D, Gaunt H, Aitken P, Morris-Bone J, Simela C, French V, Harris R, Stevelink SAM, Wessely S. Psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on 4378 UK healthcare workers and ancillary staff: initial baseline data from a cohort study collected during the first wave of the pandemic. Occup Environ Med 2021; 78:801-808. [PMID: 34183447 PMCID: PMC8245285 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2020-107276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study reports preliminary findings on the prevalence of, and factors associated with, mental health and well-being outcomes of healthcare workers during the early months (April-June) of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. METHODS Preliminary cross-sectional data were analysed from a cohort study (n=4378). Clinical and non-clinical staff of three London-based NHS Trusts, including acute and mental health Trusts, took part in an online baseline survey. The primary outcome measure used is the presence of probable common mental disorders (CMDs), measured by the General Health Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are probable anxiety (seven-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder), depression (nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (six-item Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder checklist), suicidal ideation (Clinical Interview Schedule) and alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test). Moral injury is measured using the Moray Injury Event Scale. RESULTS Analyses showed substantial levels of probable CMDs (58.9%, 95% CI 58.1 to 60.8) and of PTSD (30.2%, 95% CI 28.1 to 32.5) with lower levels of depression (27.3%, 95% CI 25.3 to 29.4), anxiety (23.2%, 95% CI 21.3 to 25.3) and alcohol misuse (10.5%, 95% CI 9.2 to 11.9). Women, younger staff and nurses tended to have poorer outcomes than other staff, except for alcohol misuse. Higher reported exposure to moral injury (distress resulting from violation of one's moral code) was strongly associated with increased levels of probable CMDs, anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms and alcohol misuse. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that mental health support for healthcare workers should consider those demographics and occupations at highest risk. Rigorous longitudinal data are needed in order to respond to the potential long-term mental health impacts of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Lamb
- Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Neil Greenberg
- Academic Department of Military Mental Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rupa Bhundia
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ewan Carr
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Hotopf
- Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Reza Razavi
- Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rosalind Raine
- Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sean Cross
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Amy Dewar
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mary Docherty
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah Dorrington
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Stephani Hatch
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Daniel Leightley
- Academic Department of Military Mental Health, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ira Madan
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sally Marlow
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Isabel McMullen
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Martin Parsons
- Mental Health Liaison Team, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Catherine Polling
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Danai Serfioti
- Academic Department of Military Mental Health, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Helen Gaunt
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | | | | | - Chloe Simela
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Veronica French
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rachel Harris
- Cornwall Partnership Foundation NHS Trust, Cornwall, UK
| | - Sharon A M Stevelink
- Academic Department of Military Mental Health, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Simon Wessely
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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15
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Amaral-Prado HM, Borghi F, Mello TMVF, Grassi-Kassisse DM. The impact of confinement in the psychosocial behaviour due COVID-19 among members of a Brazilian university. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2021; 67:720-727. [PMID: 33161815 PMCID: PMC7653368 DOI: 10.1177/0020764020971318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current situation due COVID-19 may cause an eminent impact on mental health because the confinement restrictions. AIMS The aim of this study was to analyze and compare perceived stress, resilience, depression symptoms and coping strategies on the members of University of Campinas, in Brazil, before and during the outbreak of the COVID-19. METHODS Volunteers over 18 years of both sexes, members of the University of Campinas (Unicamp) in Brazil answered instruments related to perceived stress, depression, resilience and coping strategies during final exams at the end of semester during 2018 to 2020. RESULTS We obtained 1,135 responses (893 before COVID-19 and 242 during COVID-19). The volunteers did not show significant differences for perceived stress, depressive signs and resilience before and during the pandemic. In both periods, men exhibited lower scores for perceived stress and depression and higher scores for resilience when compared to women. Undergraduate and graduate students exhibited higher perceived stress scores, more pronounced depressive signs and lower resilience, and employees and professors presented lower scores for perceived stress, depressive signs and greater resilience. CONCLUSIONS These first months of confinement did not directly affect the scores of perceived stress, depression and resilience, however, each subgroup adapted to the new routine by changing the coping strategy used. This study suggests the importance of monitoring the mental health of member in the university, especially in times of epidemic, in the search for policies that aim to improve the resilience of the population and seek positive and effective coping strategies within the university environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heloísa Monteiro Amaral-Prado
- LABEEST - Laboratory of Stress Study, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Filipy Borghi
- LABEEST - Laboratory of Stress Study, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tânia Maron Vichi Freire Mello
- Department of Medical Psychology and Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dora Maria Grassi-Kassisse
- LABEEST - Laboratory of Stress Study, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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16
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Pink J, Gray NS, O'Connor C, Knowles JR, Simkiss NJ, Snowden RJ. Psychological distress and resilience in first responders and health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 94:789-807. [PMID: 34511744 PMCID: PMC8420470 DOI: 10.1111/joop.12364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
During the COVID‐19 pandemic, first responders and health care workers faced elevated virus‐related risks through prolonged contacts with the public. Research suggests that these workers already experienced lower levels of psychological well‐being linked to occupational risks. Thus, the pandemic’s impact might have particularly affected mental health in these groups. This paper analysed data from a large‐scale Welsh population study (N = 12,989) from June to July 2020. Levels of psychological distress were compared across various occupations, including police, fire and rescue, and NHS health care workers. Resilience was also indexed, and its role considered as a protective factor for psychological distress. Surprisingly, health care workers reported lower distress levels than the general population. Further, fire and rescue and police groups had lower distress than most groups and significantly higher resilience. Within police officers, higher resilience levels were protective for distress. Fire and rescue workers were half as likely as others to report distress, even accounting for demographic factors and resilience. The findings offer an optimistic view of psychological resilience in these critical occupations. They illustrate potential benefits to one’s mental health of playing a crucial societal role during crises and reiterate the importance of enhancing resilience within groups who encounter high‐risk situations daily.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola S Gray
- Department of Psychology Swansea University UK.,Caswell Clinic Swansea Bay University Health Board UK
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17
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Manning JC. Priorities for research during the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic and beyond: a survey of nurses, midwives and health visitors in the United Kingdom. J Res Nurs 2021; 26:442-454. [PMID: 35251274 PMCID: PMC8894638 DOI: 10.1177/17449871211018737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant burden on global healthcare systems. Nurses, midwives and health visitors remain critical to the rapid responses and innovative solutions required. Their views, however, on priorities for research is mainly muted, necessitating greater clarity to inform research that benefits patients and families across the life course. AIMS To identify priorities for research in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and 'beyond', as recommended by nurses, midwives and health visitors across the four countries of the United Kingdom (UK). METHODS A cross-sectional, web-based survey design was conducted (5th May-4th June 2020). In addition to the completion of demographic information, respondents identified up to three research areas important to their clinical care/practice in the context of COVID-19 and beyond. Data were imported for analysis into NVivo 12 (QSR International). Descriptive analysis was used to summarise the demographic variables. Free text responses were analysed using a semantic, inductive thematic analysis approach. RESULTS In total 1,296 responses were received from a self-selected sample of predominantly of female, registered nurses of white British ethnicity, located in England and working for acute care providers, providing 3,444 research priority recommendations. Four higher-order themes emerged, (1) New and unknown frontiers; (2) Care and treatment solutions; (3) Healthcare leadership and inclusive workforce; and (4) Emotional and mental health impact. CONCLUSIONS At a time of significant global uncertainty, the collective voice of nursing, midwifery and health visiting is never more important to inform clinical research. Whilst generalisability is limited by the homogeneity of the sample, this is the first survey to elicit the priorities for research in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond from nurses, midwives and health visitors in the UK. Novel findings developed through a rigorous analytical approach illuminate areas that require both urgent and long-term attention and provide a platform to direct priority refinement, future research and the basis for evidence translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Manning
- NIHR HEE ICA Clinical Lecturer, Clinical Associate Professor in Children, Young People and Families Nursing, and Charge Nurse in Paediatric Critical Care Outreach, Nottingham Children's Hospital and Neonates, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK; Associate Professor, Co-lead for Children and Young People Health Research (CYPHR), School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK
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18
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Psychological treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression following major physical civilian trauma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. TRAUMA-ENGLAND 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/14604086211026104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Approximately 16% of the world’s burden of disease is attributable to traumatic injury. Psychological symptoms, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are prevalent in this population and impact recovery from physical injury. Nevertheless, mental health has not been considered to the same degree as physical health. Psychological interventions are used widely as treatments for PTSD. Methods Systematic searches of computerised databases were conducted. Randomised controlled trials of psychological treatments for PTSD following major physical civilian trauma were included. The main outcome measure was clinician-assessed symptoms of PTSD (CAPS), with findings for anxiety and depression also reported. Included studies data were extracted and entered using RevMan 5.3 software. Quality assessments were performed, and data were analysed for summary effects. Results 10 studies were included. With regard to CAPS <6 months, individual CBT did significantly better than usual care/wait list (SMD (95% CI) = −1.24 [−1.82, −0.67]) and non-CBT treatments (SMD (95% CI) = −1.32 [−2.64, −0.04]). Non-CBT treatments were not significantly better than usual care/wait list (SMD (95% CI) −1.40 [−2.91, 0.11]). CBT was superior to usual care/wait list for reducing depressive (SMD (95% CI) −0.67 [−0.98, −0.37]) and anxiety (SMD (95% CI) −0.70 [−1.22, −0.18]) symptoms both in the shorter and longer term. Conclusion Individual CBT was superior to wait list/usual care, and there was limited evidence for non-CBT treatments in reducing clinician and self-rated PTSD, depressive and anxiety symptoms in the shorter term; however, the latter comparison was based on few studies with small sample sizes. Longer-term effects of treatments remain uncertain. There is a need for adequately powered RCTs investigating PTSD treatments following major physical civilian trauma in the longer term. There was considerable heterogeneity in the studies, so care must be taken in interpreting the results of this review.
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19
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White SM. Mental health, moral injury - and mandatory psychological assessment? Anaesthesia 2021; 76:879-882. [PMID: 33721911 DOI: 10.1111/anae.15447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S M White
- Department of Anaesthesia, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK
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20
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Doherty AM, Colleran GC, Durcan L, Irvine AD, Barrett E. A pilot study of burnout and long covid in senior specialist doctors. Ir J Med Sci 2021; 191:133-137. [PMID: 33713306 PMCID: PMC7955691 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-021-02594-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Covid-19 has placed unprecedented demand on healthcare systems and on healthcare professionals. There have been concerns about the risk of distress, moral injury and burnout among healthcare professionals, especially doctors. Aim To assess the effect of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic on Irish doctors by investigating the incidence of burnout and long covid among senior medical staff in Ireland. Methods This is a cross-sectional pilot study of the prevalence of burnout and long covid among senior physicians. A survey was sent by email to members of the Irish Hospital Consultant’s Association. The survey included measures of mental and physical health and the 2-item Maslach Burnout Scale (MBS-2). The study explored the experience of delivering health care in the context of a pandemic and experience of the long covid syndrome. Results A total of 114 responses were received. Three-quarters 77% (N = 88) screened positive for burnout on the MBS, with mean score of 5.6 (SD3.3), nearly double the cut-off for burnout. Nearly two-thirds (64%, n = 72) reported that Covid-19 has had an adverse effect on their mental health. One-quarter reported that they or colleagues had experience of ‘long-covid’ secondary to the virus. Conclusion More comprehensive evaluation of the effect of the pandemic on front-line staff is needed to identify the extent of the problem and the factors which contribute to it. This will inform measures to mitigate these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Doherty
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. .,Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Gabrielle C Colleran
- Children's Health Ireland, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland.,National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Laura Durcan
- Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alan D Irvine
- Children's Health Ireland, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland.,Children's Health Ireland, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elizabeth Barrett
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Children's Health Ireland, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland.,Clinical Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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21
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Greene T, Harju-Seppänen J, Adeniji M, Steel C, Grey N, Brewin CR, Bloomfield MA, Billings J. Predictors and rates of PTSD, depression and anxiety in UK frontline health and social care workers during COVID-19. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021; 12:1882781. [PMID: 33968317 PMCID: PMC8075082 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1882781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Studies have shown that working in frontline healthcare roles during epidemics and pandemics was associated with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify demographic, work-related and other predictors for clinically significant PTSD, depression, and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in UK frontline health and social care workers (HSCWs), and to compare rates of distress across different groups of HCSWs working in different roles and settings. Methods: A convenience sample (n = 1194) of frontline UK HCSWs completed an online survey during the first wave of the pandemic (27 May - 23 July 2020). Participants worked in UK hospitals, nursing or care homes and other community settings. PTSD was assessed using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ); Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); Anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Results: Nearly 58% of respondents met the threshold for a clinically significant disorder (PTSD = 22%; anxiety = 47%; depression = 47%), and symptom levels were high across occupational groups and settings. Logistic regression analyses found that participants who were concerned about infecting others, who could not talk with their managers if there were not coping, who reported feeling stigmatized and who had not had reliable access to personal protective equipment (PPE) were more likely to meet criteria for a clinically significant mental disorder. Being redeployed during the pandemic, and having had COVID were associated with higher odds for PTSD. Higher household income was associated with reduced odds for a mental disorder. Conclusions: This study identified predictors of clinically significant distress during COVID-19 and highlights the need for reliable access to PPE and further investigation of barriers to communication between managers and staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talya Greene
- Department of Community Mental Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jasmine Harju-Seppänen
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK.,Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mariam Adeniji
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Steel
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nick Grey
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Chris R Brewin
- Clinical Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michael A Bloomfield
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK.,Translational Psychiatry Research Group, Research Department of Mental Health Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK.,Epidemiology and Applied Clinical Research Department, University College London, London, UK.,St Pancras Hospital, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,National Institute for Health Research University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, University College Hospital, London, UK.,National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jo Billings
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
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22
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Vera San Juan N, Aceituno D, Djellouli N, Sumray K, Regenold N, Syversen A, Mulcahy Symmons S, Dowrick A, Mitchinson L, Singleton G, Vindrola-Padros C. Mental health and well-being of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: contrasting guidelines with experiences in practice. BJPsych Open 2020; 7:e15. [PMID: 33298229 PMCID: PMC7844154 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2020.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substantial evidence has highlighted the importance of considering the mental health of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and several organisations have issued guidelines with recommendations. However, the definition of well-being and the evidence base behind such guidelines remain unclear. AIMS The aims of the study are to assess the applicability of well-being guidelines in practice, identify unaddressed healthcare workers' needs and provide recommendations for supporting front-line staff during the current and future pandemics. METHOD This paper discusses the findings of a qualitative study based on interviews with front-line healthcare workers in the UK (n = 33), and examines them in relation to a rapid review of well-being guidelines developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 14). RESULTS The guidelines placed greater emphasis on individual mental health and psychological support, whereas healthcare workers placed greater emphasis on structural conditions at work, responsibilities outside the hospital and the invaluable support of the community. The well-being support interventions proposed in the guidelines did not always respond to the lived experiences of staff, as some reported not being able to participate in these interventions because of understaffing, exhaustion or clashing schedules. CONCLUSIONS Healthcare workers expressed well-being needs that aligned with socio-ecological conceptualisations of well-being related to quality of life. This approach to well-being has been highlighted in literature on support of healthcare workers in previous health emergencies, but it has not been monitored during this pandemic. Well-being guidelines should explore the needs of healthcare workers, and contextual characteristics affecting the implementation of recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norha Vera San Juan
- Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; and Rapid Research Evaluation and Appraisal Lab, University College London, UK
| | - David Aceituno
- Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK; and Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile
| | - Nehla Djellouli
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, UK; and Rapid Research Evaluation and Appraisal Lab, University College London, UK
| | - Kirsi Sumray
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, UK
| | - Nina Regenold
- Department of Anthropology, University College London, UK
| | - Aron Syversen
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, UK
| | | | - Anna Dowrick
- Institute of Population Health Science, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | - Lucy Mitchinson
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, UK
| | - Georgina Singleton
- Health Services Research Centre, National Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, London, UK; and Rapid Research Evaluation and Appraisal Lab, University College London, UK
| | - Cecilia Vindrola-Padros
- Department of Targeted Intervention, University College London, UK; and Rapid Research Evaluation and Appraisal Lab, University College London, UK
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