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Huerta-González S, Caro-Alonso PÁ, Rodríguez-Martín B, Castillo-Sarmiento CA, Pedrera-Zamorano JD, Chimpén-López C, Rico-Martín S, López-Espuela F. Nurses' perceptions of the performance of nurse managers and senior hospital management during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Nurs 2024; 23:455. [PMID: 38961487 PMCID: PMC11221198 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02123-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on health systems and health professionals, due to the high number of cases and a lack of preparation. The aim of this study was to understand how nurses working in hospital units and in intensive care perceived the performance of nurse managers and senior hospital management during the first two waves of the pandemic. METHODS The phenomenological approach proposed by Giorgi was used to investigate perceptions of the performance of nurse managers and senior hospital management during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. Fourteen clinical nurses who worked on the front line in inpatient units or intensive care units of the Health Services of Extremadura and Madrid in the first (March-April 2020) and second (October-November 2020) waves of the COVID-19 pandemic participated in this study. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews, following a script of themes, in a theoretical sample of nurses who were worked during the pandemic. RESULTS Two main themes emerged from the analysis of the data: (1) perceptions about the performance of nurse managers and senior hospital managers during the first and second waves of the pandemic (health system failure; belief that senior hospital management professionals could have managed the pandemic better; recognizing the efforts of middle management (nursing supervisors); insufficient institutional support) and (2) strategies employed by nurses to compensate for the weaknesses in pandemic management. CONCLUSIONS The clinical nurses perceived that the nurse managers demonstrated better management of the pandemic than the hospital's senior management, which they attribute to their proximity, empathy, accessibility, and ability to mediate between them and the senior management. The nurses also believe that the senior management of the hospitals was to blame for organisational failures and the poor management of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pedro Ángel Caro-Alonso
- Health Service of Castilla-La Mancha, La Algodonera Health Center, Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain
| | - Beatriz Rodríguez-Martín
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha. Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain.
| | - Carlos A Castillo-Sarmiento
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, School of Physiotherapy and Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Juan Diego Pedrera-Zamorano
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Occupational Therapy, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain
| | - Carlos Chimpén-López
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Occupational Therapy, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain
| | - Sergio Rico-Martín
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Occupational Therapy, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain
| | - Fidel López-Espuela
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Occupational Therapy, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain
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Liu H, Zhou N, Zhou Z, Tao X, Kong Y, Zhang M. Symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and their relationship with the fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 burden among health care workers after the full liberalization of COVID-19 prevention and control policy in China: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:902. [PMID: 38053075 PMCID: PMC10696867 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05399-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the past three years, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought an overwhelming impact on China's hospital system and health care workers, which can lead to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Previous research has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic had long-term adverse effects on the mental health of health care workers. Indeed, PTSD symptoms have emerged as one of the significant mental health issues for health care workers arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we conducted this cross-sectional survey to investigate the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in health care workers and its relationship with the fear of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 burden after the full liberalization of COVID-19 prevention and control policy in China. METHODS This study was conducted three years after the global COVID-19 pandemic (January 15 to January 16, 2023). This study was conducted via the Wenjuanxing platform and used the Chinese versions of the scales PC-PTSD-5, COVID-19 Anxiety Scale (FCV-19S), Social Support Scale, COVID-19 Stress Scale, GAD-2, and PHQ-2. RESULTS The prevalence of PTSD symptoms in health care workers was 24.3% (232/955). depression(P < 0.001), anxiety(P < 0.05), the fear of COVID-19(P < 0.001), and COVID-19 burden(P < 0.001) were highly correlated with PTSD symptoms in health care workers. Social support(P < 0.05) was a protective factor of PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This survey shows that PTSD symptoms were highly prevalent among Chinese health care workers after the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments and leaders of medical institutions should, through psychological interventions, address the current situation of PTSD symptoms among health care workers and develop targeted programs and strategies to reduce their psychological problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Liu
- Department of Hemodialysis, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, China
| | - Ningying Zhou
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhiqing Zhou
- Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, China
| | - Xiubin Tao
- Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, China
| | - Yan Kong
- School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
| | - Ming Zhang
- School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China.
- School of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, No. 1 Beijing East Road, Wuhu, 241000, China.
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van der Noordt M, Proper KI, Loef B, Boot CRL, Kroese FM, de Bruin M, van Oostrom SH. Mental health of healthcare workers during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands: a longitudinal study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1224112. [PMID: 38074703 PMCID: PMC10701889 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1224112] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose In March 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Previous virus outbreaks, such as the SARS outbreak in 2003, appeared to have a great impact on the mental health of healthcare workers. The aim of this study is to examine to what extent mental health of healthcare workers differed from non-healthcare workers during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We used data from a large-scale longitudinal online survey conducted by the Corona Behavioral Unit in the Netherlands. Eleven measurement rounds were analyzed, from April 2020 to March 2021 (N = 16,615; number of observations = 64,206). Mental health, as measured by the 5-item Mental Health Inventory, was compared between healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers over time, by performing linear GEE-analyses. Results Mental health scores were higher among healthcare workers compared to non-healthcare workers during the first year of the pandemic (1.29 on a 0-100 scale, 95%-CI = 0.75-1.84). During peak periods of the pandemic, with over 100 hospital admissions or over 25 ICU admissions per day and subsequently more restrictive measures, mental health scores were observed to be lower in both healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. Conclusion During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed no relevant difference in mental health between healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers in the Netherlands. To be better prepared for another pandemic, future research should investigate which factors hinder and which factors support healthcare workers to maintain a good mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike van der Noordt
- Department of Public Health Foresight, Center for Health and Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Karin I. Proper
- Department Behaviour & Health, Center for Prevention, Lifestyle and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Societal Participation and Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bette Loef
- Department Behaviour & Health, Center for Prevention, Lifestyle and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Cécile R. L. Boot
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Societal Participation and Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Work, Health and Performance, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Floor M. Kroese
- Department Behaviour & Health, Center for Prevention, Lifestyle and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
- Department of Social, Health, and Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marijn de Bruin
- Department Behaviour & Health, Center for Prevention, Lifestyle and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
- IQ Healthcare, Institute of Health Sciences, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sandra H. van Oostrom
- Department Behaviour & Health, Center for Prevention, Lifestyle and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
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Nikunlaakso R, Reuna K, Oksanen T, Laitinen J. Associations between accumulating job stressors, workplace social capital, and psychological distress on work-unit level: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1559. [PMID: 37587453 PMCID: PMC10428655 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16506-w] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychosocial job stressor studies usually examine one exposure at a time and focus on individual workers. In this study we examined the accumulation of work stressors in work units and its association with psychological distress (PD) on work-unit level. We also investigated whether high workplace social capital modifies the effect. METHODS We examined survey responses from 813 Finnish health and social services (HSS) work units, comprising 9 502 employees, in a cross-sectional study design. The survey was conducted in 2021. We calculated odds ratios for the association between accumulating job stressors and PD. We also analyzed the interaction between work stressors and the effect modification of high workplace social capital. RESULTS We found that HSS work units with high percentage of employees having high job demands and low rewards (OR 7.2, 95% CI 3.7, 13.8) have an increased risk of higher PD in the work unit. We also found indication of high social capital possibly modifying the effect of job stressors on PD. The results suggest that accumulated job stressors are associated with PD on work unit level, with excess risk for PD compared to the stressors acting separately. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the effect of accumulating job stressors should be further studied on work-unit level. Participatory organizational-level and work-unit level interventions to tackle job stressors and to improve workplace social capital are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kaisa Reuna
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Tuula Oksanen
- University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jaana Laitinen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 90220 Oulu, Finland
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Sener T, Haenen W, Smits P, Hans GH. Large-scale real-life implementation of technology-enabled care to maximize hospitals' medical surge preparedness during future infectious disease outbreaks and winter seasons: a viewpoint. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1149247. [PMID: 37621607 PMCID: PMC10446840 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1149247] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hospitals can be overburdened with large numbers of patients with severe infectious conditions during infectious disease outbreaks. Such outbreaks or epidemics put tremendous pressure on the admission capacity of care facilities in the concerned region, negatively affecting the elective program within these facilities. Such situations have been observed during the recent waves of the coronavirus disease pandemic. Owing to the imminent threat of a "tripledemic" by new variants of the coronavirus disease (such as the new Omicron XBB.1.16 strain), influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus during future winter seasons, healthcare agencies should take decisive steps to safeguard hospitals' surge capacity while continuing to provide optimal and safe care to a potentially large number of patients in their trusted home environment. Preparedness of health systems for infectious diseases will require dynamic interaction between a continuous assessment of region-wide available hospital capacity and programs for intensive home treatment of patients who can spread the disease. In this viewpoint, we describe an innovative, dynamic coupling system between hospital surge capacity and cascading activation of a nationwide system for remote patient monitoring. This approach was developed using the multi-criteria decision analysis methodology, considering previously published real-life experiences on remote patient monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talia Sener
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Winne Haenen
- Federal Public Service for Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick Smits
- Cell Crisis Preparedness, Agentschap Zorg en Gezondheid, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Guy H. Hans
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Chief Medical Officer, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Edegem, Belgium
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Sihvola S, Nurmeksela A, Mikkonen S, Peltokoski J, Kvist T. Resilience, job satisfaction, intentions to leave nursing and quality of care among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic - a questionnaire study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:632. [PMID: 37316918 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged nurses and healthcare systems globally and raised major concerns for nurses' wellbeing and working conditions. This cross-sectional and correlational study design aims to describe nurses' resilience, job satisfaction, intentions to leave and quality of care, and explain their relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Data were collected from Registered Nurses (N = 437) in Finland through an electronic survey between February 2021 and June 2021. The questionnaire covered background characteristics (seven questions), resilience (four questions), job satisfaction (one question), intention to leave nursing (two questions), quality of care (one question), and requiring factors of the work (eight questions). The background variables and dependent variables were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics. Structural equation modeling was used to explain dependent variables relationships. The study followed procedures recommended in the STROBE Statement for cross-sectional studies in efforts to maximize the quality of reporting results. RESULTS The surveyed nurses evaluated their resilience by mean score 3.92, more nurses had considered leaving nursing during the pandemic (16%) than before (2%). Nurses´ mean score of requiring factors of the work was 2.56 and overall job satisfaction 5.8. Structural equation modeling revealed that resilience affected their job satisfaction, which also influenced the quality of care, that was rated moderate (7.46 out of 10). Structural equation modeling indices of goodness of fit were NFI = 0.988, RFI = 0.954, IFI = 0.992, TLI = 0.97, CFI = 0.992, and RMSEA = 0.064. No direct relationship was found between resilience and intention to leave nursing. CONCLUSIONS Good resilience promoted delivery of high-quality care by nurses during the pandemic and enhanced their job satisfaction, which reduced their intention to leave nursing. The results indicate that it is important to develop interventions that support nurses' resilience. IMPACT The study highlights the importance of nurses' resilience during the pandemic, while job satisfaction may decrease and requiring factors of the work increase. Given the number of nurses who consider leaving nursing, there are clear needs to develop effective strategies to maintain quality healthcare with resilient, committed nursing staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saija Sihvola
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, Yliopistonranta 1 C, Canthia, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio, FI-70211, Finland.
| | - Anu Nurmeksela
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, Yliopistonranta 1 C, Canthia, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio, FI-70211, Finland
| | - Santtu Mikkonen
- Faculty of Science and Forestry, Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, Yliopistonranta 1 C, Canthia, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio, FI-70211, Finland
| | - Jaana Peltokoski
- Information Management, Wellbeing Services County of Central Finland, Viitaniementie 1, Jyväskylä, 40720, Finland
| | - Tarja Kvist
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, Yliopistonranta 1 C, Canthia, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio, FI-70211, Finland
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AlRasheed MM, Fekih-Romdhane F, Jahrami H, Pires GN, Saif Z, Alenezi AF, Humood A, Chen W, Dai H, Bragazzi N, Pandi-Perumal SR, BaHammam AS, Vitiello MV. The prevalence and severity of insomnia symptoms during COVID-19: A global systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. Sleep Med 2022; 100:7-23. [PMID: 36030616 PMCID: PMC9359588 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2022.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There have been no previous meta-analytic studies that have looked at the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in different COVID-19 groups using a single assessment instrument to evaluate insomnia symptoms while maintaining data homogeneity. The current review's associated goal is to undertake an individual participant data (IPD) analysis to further investigate past meta-analyses, a method that has been shown to be more robust than standard meta-analyses. MEETHODS Only studies that used the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) to assess insomnia are used in this analysis. The IPDMA was performed and registered in PROSPERO in compliance with the PRISMA IPD Statement (CRD42021275817). From November 2019 to August 2021, researchers explored seventeen databases and six preprint services for relevant studies. RESULTS The pooled estimate of insomnia symptoms (subthreshold and clinically significant) was 52.57%. An estimated 16.66% of the population suffered from clinically significant insomnia, of which 13.75% suffered from moderate insomnia, and 2.50% suffered from severe insomnia. The different populations' grouping had no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of insomnia symptoms. Insomnia symptoms did not appear to be associated with age or sex. CONCLUSION Our findings imply that the COVID-19 pandemic is linked to a significant rise in subthreshold insomnia symptoms, but not to moderate or severe insomnia. Educating people from all walks of life about the importance of sleep and the risk of acquiring insomnia symptoms during this or future pandemics should be a top concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha M AlRasheed
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Princess Noura bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Feten Fekih-Romdhane
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Psychiatry Department "Ibn Omrane", Tunisia; Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Haitham Jahrami
- Ministry of Health, Manama, Bahrain; Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
| | | | | | - Ahmad F Alenezi
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Ali Humood
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Wen Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Xiamen Xianyue Hospital, Xiamen, 361000, China
| | - Haijiang Dai
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Nicola Bragazzi
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Seithikurippu R Pandi-Perumal
- Somnogen Canada Inc., College Street, Toronto, Canada; Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ahmed S BaHammam
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University Sleep Disorders Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11324, Saudi Arabia; The Strategic Technologies Program of the National Plan for Sciences and Technology and Innovation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael V Vitiello
- Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, and Biobehavioral Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98 l 95-6560, USA
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Rosenström T, Tuisku K, Suvisaari J, Pukkala E, Junttila K, Haravuori H, Elovainio M, Haapa T, Jylhä P, Laukkala T. Healthcare workers' heterogeneous mental-health responses to prolonging COVID-19 pandemic: a full year of monthly follow up in Finland. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:724. [PMID: 36402992 PMCID: PMC9675158 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04389-x] [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: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic strained healthcare workers but the individual challenges varied in relation to actual work and changes in work. We investigated changes in healthcare workers' mental health under prolonging COVID-19 pandemic conditions, and heterogeneity in the mental-health trajectories. METHODS A monthly survey over a full year was conducted for employees of the HUS Helsinki University Hospital (n = 4804) between 4th June 2020 to 28th May 2021. Pandemic-related potentially traumatic events (PTEs), work characteristics (e.g., contact to COVID-19 patients), local COVID-19 incidence, and demographic covariates were used to predict Mental Health Index-5 (MHI-5) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) in generalized multilevel and latent-class mixed model regressions. RESULTS Local COVID-19 log-incidence (odds ratio, OR = 1.21, with 95% CI = 1.10-1.60), directly caring for COVID-19 patients (OR = 1.33, CI = 1.10-1.60) and PTEs (OR = 4.57, CI = 3.85-5.43) were all independently associated with psychological distress, when (additionally) adjusting for age, sex, profession, and calendar time. Effects of COVID-19 incidence on mental health were dissociable from calendar time (i.e., evolved in time) whereas those on sleep were not. Latent mental-health trajectories were characterized by a large class of "stable mental health" (62% of employees) and minority classes for "early shock, improving" (14%) and "early resilience, deteriorating" mental health (24%). The minority classes, especially "early shock, improving", were more likely to live alone and be exposed to PTEs than the others. CONCLUSIONS Healthcare workers faced changing and heterogeneous mental-health challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic prolonged. Adversity and mental ill-being may have accumulated in some employees, and factors like living arrangements may have played a role. Knowledge on employees' demographic and socioeconomic background, as well as further research on the factors affecting employees' resilience, may help in maintaining healthy and efficient workforce in the face of a prolonging pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Rosenström
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Katinka Tuisku
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Acute Psychiatry and Consultations, HUS Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaana Suvisaari
- grid.14758.3f0000 0001 1013 0499Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Mental Health Team, 00271 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Pukkala
- grid.502801.e0000 0001 2314 6254Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland
| | - Kristiina Junttila
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Nursing Research Center, HUS Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henna Haravuori
- grid.14758.3f0000 0001 1013 0499Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Mental Health Team, 00271 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marko Elovainio
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland ,grid.14758.3f0000 0001 1013 0499Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Health Services Research, 00271 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Toni Haapa
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Nursing Research Center, HUS Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pekka Jylhä
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Acute Psychiatry and Consultations, HUS Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tanja Laukkala
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Acute Psychiatry and Consultations, HUS Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
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Nikunlaakso R, Reuna K, Selander K, Oksanen T, Laitinen J. Synergistic Interaction between Job Stressors and Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13991. [PMID: 36360868 PMCID: PMC9656466 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Psychosocial job stressors increase the risk of mental health problems for the workers in health and social services (HSS). Although previous studies suggest that the accumulation of two or more stressors is detrimental to mental health, few studies have examined the synergistic interaction of accumulating job stressors. We examined survey responses from 9855 Finnish HSS workers in a cross-sectional study design from 2021. We conducted an interaction analysis of high job demands, low rewards and low workplace social capital on psychological distress, focusing on the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). Additionally, we analysed the interaction of job demands, low rewards and COVID-19 burden (extra workload and emotional load). Our analysis showed that the total RERI for the job stressors on psychological distress was considerable (6.27, 95% CI 3.14, 9.39). The total excess risk was caused by two-way interactions, especially between high demands and low rewards and by the three-way interaction of all stressors. The total RERI for job demands, low reward and COVID-19 burden (3.93, 95% CI 1.15, 6.72), however, was caused entirely by two-way interaction between high demands and low rewards. Mental health interventions tackling high demands, low rewards and low social capital are jointly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risto Nikunlaakso
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00032 Työterveyslaitos, Finland
| | - Kaisa Reuna
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00032 Työterveyslaitos, Finland
| | - Kirsikka Selander
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00032 Työterveyslaitos, Finland
| | - Tuula Oksanen
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jaana Laitinen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 00032 Työterveyslaitos, Finland
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Relationship between COVID-19-specific occupational stressors and mental distress in frontline and non-frontline staff. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10310. [PMID: 35996552 PMCID: PMC9387056 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the difference in the severity of mental distress and factors contributing to mental distress in frontline and non-frontline healthcare professionals during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. A cross-sectional web-based survey of medical staff collected by snow-ball sampling was performed in Japan in October 2020 using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) as an outcome measure for mental distress. Originally developed items asking about the degree of change in psychological and physical burdens, COVID-19-related fear, and experience of discrimination were obtained. The median score of the K6 was 7 in the frontline staff group (n = 86) and 6 in the non-frontline staff group (n = 504), without a statistically significant difference. Multiple regression analyses showed that among the participants, an increase in psychological burden and COVID-19-related fear was significantly associated with mental distress in both groups. Experience of discrimination was significantly associated with mental distress only in the frontline staff group. However, an increase in physical burden was significantly associated with mental distress only in the non-frontline staff group. The results indicate that the factors contributing to mental distress between frontline and non-frontline staff can be different, although the severity of mental distress is comparable between them.
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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: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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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Lieslehto J, Rantanen N, Oksanen LMAH, Oksanen SA, Kivimäki A, Paju S, Pietiäinen M, Lahdentausta L, Pussinen P, Anttila VJ, Lehtonen L, Lallukka T, Geneid A, Sanmark E. A machine learning approach to predict resilience and sickness absence in the healthcare workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8055. [PMID: 35577884 PMCID: PMC9109448 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12107-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have faced unprecedented workloads and personal health risks leading to mental disorders and surges in sickness absence. Previous work has shown that interindividual differences in psychological resilience might explain why only some individuals are vulnerable to these consequences. However, no prognostic tools to predict individual HCW resilience during the pandemic have been developed. We deployed machine learning (ML) to predict psychological resilience during the pandemic. The models were trained in HCWs of the largest Finnish hospital, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS, N = 487), with a six-month follow-up, and prognostic generalizability was evaluated in two independent HCW validation samples (Social and Health Services in Kymenlaakso: Kymsote, N = 77 and the City of Helsinki, N = 322) with similar follow-ups never used for training the models. Using the most predictive items to predict future psychological resilience resulted in a balanced accuracy (BAC) of 72.7–74.3% in the HUS sample. Similar performances (BAC = 67–77%) were observed in the two independent validation samples. The models' predictions translated to a high probability of sickness absence during the pandemic. Our results provide the first evidence that ML techniques could be harnessed for the early detection of COVID-19-related distress among HCWs, thereby providing an avenue for potential targeted interventions.
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Salminen-Tuomaala M, Seppälä S. NURSES' RATINGS OF COMPASSIONATE NURSING LEADERSHIP DURING THE COVID -19 PANDEMIC - A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY. J Nurs Manag 2022; 30:1974-1980. [PMID: 35478468 PMCID: PMC9115229 DOI: 10.1111/jonm.13642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Aim The aim of this study is to investigate how intensive and emergency nurses rated the adequacy of compassionate leadership during the early stages of the Covid‐19 pandemic. Background The pandemic has resulted in nurses' increased stress and need for compassion from leaders. Compassionate leadership is here defined as a number of leadership practices based on altruistic values and emotional intelligence. Method This is a quantitative descriptive cross‐sectional study based on a questionnaire for 50 intensive and emergency care nurses in a central hospital in Finland. Results The pandemic had increased nurses' need for compassion, but their needs for support had not been met and their strengths and competence appreciated sufficiently. They agreed that compassionate leadership could be developed through experience and personal development rather than through education. Conclusion Compassionate leadership is a process that involves a number of leadership practices based on altruistic values and emotional intelligence and benefits from recognition and use of employee strengths. Leaders and employees could benefit from simulation‐based learning, work supervision and discussion led by external facilitators. Implications for Nursing Management Compassionate leadership involves approachability, genuine presence and listening, which could be developed through work‐based learning combined with reflection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Salminen-Tuomaala
- Principal Lecturer, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, School of Health Care and Social Work, Finland
| | - Satu Seppälä
- Master of Social Services and Health Care, Advanced Practice Nursing, Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Finland
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Selander K, Nikunlaakso R, Laitinen J. Association between work ability and work stressors: cross-sectional survey of elderly services and health and social care service employees. Arch Public Health 2022; 80:83. [PMID: 35292109 PMCID: PMC8922061 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-022-00841-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Work in the health and social care services (HSS) is very stressful and sickness absences are high. Nevertheless, little is known about their work stressors and work ability. The first aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of different work stressors and their accumulation among eldercare workers compared to general HSS workers. Second aim is to analyze associations between different work stressors and work ability and thus provide information on factors that are important in enhancing work ability. METHODS This cross-sectional survey examined HSS employees in Finland in 2020. The response rate was 67% (N = 22,502). Descriptive analyses were used to describe the control variables and the differences between the work stressors of general HSS and eldercare employees. After this, multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed the association between work stressors and work ability. RESULTS Eldercare employees experienced more often moral distress than HSS employees in general, and this further lowers their work ability. Single work stressors--Karasek's strain, Siegrist's ERI, organizational injustice and moral distress--increased the odds of low work ability (OR range 1.4-2.5) in comparison to no work stressors. However, the association with single stressors was roughly one third of that with the accumulation of all four work stressors (OR = 6.8). Thus, the accumulation of several stressors was most harmful for work ability. CONCLUSIONS This study provides novel information on the accumulation of work stressors in relation to work ability. The results suggest that in order to enhance work ability, HSS organizations should pay more attention to preventing several stressors from accumulating. Eldercare organizations in particular need to develop effective measures for lowering moral distress.
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Zhao F, Lung H, Chen PF, Chang MC, Lung FW. Religion and the Mediating Role of Alexithymia in the Mental Distress of Healthcare Workers During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in a Psychiatric Hospital in China. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:837916. [PMID: 35546947 PMCID: PMC9081971 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.837916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created unprecedented challenges to the healthcare system, religion, and alexithymic trait that impacts the psychological resilience of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the role religion and alexithymia play in mental distress and the level of happiness of psychiatric hospital healthcare workers in China amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, whether symptom dimensions (anxiety, depression, hostility, inferiority, and insomnia) are associated with the level of happiness, and a 6-month follow-up was also investigated. A total of one-hundred and ninety healthcare workers were recruited from a psychiatric hospital in Jilin, China, and 122 were followed up after 6 months. All participants filled out the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, five-item Brief-Symptom Rating Scale, and the Chinese Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The mental distress of healthcare workers decreased from 2.6 to 1.5% in 6-months. Religious belief was not associated with the mental distress or happiness of healthcare workers. Instead, for those whose anxiety decreased over 6 months, their social adaptation status increased. For those whose inferiority level decreased over time, their perceived level of psychological well-being and overall happiness increased. In over half a century of living in different societies, religion stabilizes the mental health of those in Taiwan amidst the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, but not in China. However, both regions found healthcare workers with alexithymic traits experienced a higher level of mental distress, implying that the collectivist culture of Confucian philosophy continues to influence the emotional expression and alexithymic traits of healthcare workers in China and Taiwan. To ensure a healthy and robust clinical workforce in the treatment and control of the pandemic, the cultural impact on the psychological resilience of medical workers needs to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fushuai Zhao
- Anning Psychiatric Rehabilitation Hospital, Changchun Sixth Hospital, Changchun City, China
| | - Hsuan Lung
- Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Fei Chen
- Department of Psychology, Calo Psychiatric Center, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Chung Chang
- Department of Nursing, Calo Psychiatric Center, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - For-Wey Lung
- Department of Medicine, Calo Psychiatric Center, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,International Graduate Program of Education and Human Development, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Institute of Education, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Peng J, Wu WH, Doolan G, Choudhury N, Mehta P, Khatun A, Hennelly L, Henty J, Jury EC, Liao LM, Ciurtin C. Marital Status and Gender Differences as Key Determinants of COVID-19 Impact on Wellbeing, Job Satisfaction and Resilience in Health Care Workers and Staff Working in Academia in the UK During the First Wave of the Pandemic. Front Public Health 2022; 10:928107. [PMID: 35832284 PMCID: PMC9271694 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.928107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global public health crisis that continues to exert immense pressure on healthcare and related professional staff and services. The impact on staff wellbeing is likely to be influenced by a combination of modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the self-reported wellbeing, resilience, and job satisfaction of National Health Service (NHS) and university staff working in the field of healthcare and medical research. Methods We conducted a cross sectional survey of NHS and UK university staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic between May-November 2020. The anonymous and voluntary survey was disseminated through social media platforms, and via e-mail to members of professional and medical bodies. The data was analyzed using descriptive and regression (R) statistics. Results The enjoyment of work and satisfaction outside of work was significantly negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for all of staff groups independent of other variables. Furthermore, married women reporting significantly lower wellbeing than married men (P = 0.028). Additionally, the wellbeing of single females was significantly lower than both married women and men (P = 0.017 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Gender differences were also found in satisfaction outside of work, with women reporting higher satisfaction than men before the COVID-19 pandemic (P = 0.0002). Conclusion Our study confirms that the enjoyment of work and general satisfaction of staff members has been significantly affected by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, being married appears to be a protective factor for wellbeing and resilience but the effect may be reversed for life satisfaction outside work. Our survey highlights the critical need for further research to examine gender differences using a wider range of methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Peng
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wing Han Wu
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Georgia Doolan
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Naila Choudhury
- Medical School, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Puja Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, University College London Respiratory, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ayesha Khatun
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Hennelly
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julian Henty
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, St Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth C Jury
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Rheumatology Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lih-Mei Liao
- Women's Health Psychological Services, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Coziana Ciurtin
- Division of Medicine, Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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