Ability of Emotional Regulation and Control as a Stress Predictor in Healthcare Professionals

Predictors of poor psychological functioning of healthcare workers based in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

Poor psychological functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic has been reported in several studies of healthcare workers from around the world. Factors that might predict this have yet to be established.

Objectives

First, to ascertain which factors were associated with poor psychological functioning in a cohort of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, to characterize key sociodemographic aspects of this cohort. Third, to determine the degree to which any predictors of poor psychological functioning were associated with each other.

Methods

A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted of 144 healthcare workers in Patras, Greece, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire consisted of: (1) demographic survey questions; (2) the Psychological Consequences Questionnaire scale; (3) the Kessler Psychological Distress scale; and (4) Toulouse's scale for coping strategies. The data were analyzed using general linear modeling.

Results

The statistical model (p < 10-10) indicated that smoking or taking drugs to calm anxiety, feeling ashamed, and being overwhelmed by one's feelings were all predictors of poor psychological functioning. Conversely, income was a protective factor. A post hoc network analysis showed that smoking or taking drugs to calm anxiety was relatively strongly associated with feeling ashamed; the latter was also associated with feeling overwhelmed. There was a weak negative association between income and feeling ashamed.

Conclusion

This study highlights the critical importance of psychological functioning in shaping the mental well-being of healthcare professionals during pandemics. Prioritizing the mental health of frontline workers is crucial for their well-being and for the overall functioning of healthcare systems.

Nurses' Assessments Versus Patients' Self-Assessments of Postoperative Pain: Knowledge and Skills of Nurses for Effective Pain Management

Postoperative pain is the most common form of acute pain. Nurses contribute to effective pain management with their knowledge and skills. The aims of this research were to examine differences between nurses' assessments and patients' self-assessments of postoperative pain, differences in the mentioned (self) assessments with respect to characteristics of both groups of respondents, and the correlation between the NRS and the VRS scale. The study included 103 nurses employed at a hospital and 103 patients treated in the surgical departments after the surgical procedures. Data were collected using the standardized Numerical rating scale (NRS) and Verbal rating score (VRS). The median of patients' self-assessments of pain intensity on the NRS scale was 4, while the nursing assessment of patients' pain was 3, with no significant difference (p = 0.083). No significant differences were found on the VRS scale between nurse assessments and patient self-assessments of current pain intensity. The pain was described as moderate by 35% of participants, including 35.9% nurses and 35% patients. Significant positive correlations were recorded between values on the VRS and NRS scales for nurses (Rho = 0.812; p < 0.001) and patients (Rho = 0.830; p < 0.001). The results of this study may have implications for the improvement of postoperative pain management protocols, with regular use of pain assessment scales and individualization of analgesic prescriptions.