24 research outputs found
Hospital workforce mental reaction to the pandemic in a low COVID-19 burden setting: a cross-sectional clinical study
΀heCOVID-19 pandemic has mental health implications for both healthcare workforces and general population, particularly in regions heavily hit by the crisis. ΀he study aimed (i) to investigate anxiety- and depression severity differences between staff of a COVID-19 treatment unit (N = 84) and a hospital without such a unit (N = 55) in comparison to participants of a convenience general population online survey (N = 240) and (ii) to explore relations between such symptoms and hospital staff reaction to COVID-19 in a low COVID-19 burden setting. Anxiety was studied with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item in hospital workforces and with the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) in online survey participants. Depression symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in hospital employees and the HADS in the online survey sample. Symptoms were classified as absent/minimal, borderline abnormal or indicating clinical caseness. Staff reaction to COVID-19 was tapped with a 9-item-questionnaire and the 22-item Impact of Event Scale-revised (IES-R). Proper tests for differences and stepwise ordered logistic regression models were employed. Anxiety- and depression severity was higher in hospital workforces than in online survey participants (P < 0.05). Anxiety was more severe in frontline- compared to backstage employees (P < 0.001) was inversely correlated with age (P = 0.011) and positively with avoidance (P = 0.028). Both anxiety and depression symptoms related to intrusion symptoms (P < 0.001). Regarding the relatively long data collection period, an inverse association between crisis duration and depression symptoms was detected (P = 0.025). These observations point to the urgent need for distress-mitigating interventions for hospital workforces even in low COVID-19 burden settings. © 2021, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature
âA picture is worth a thousand wordsââA photovoice study exploring health professionalsâ experiences during the COVIDâ19 pandemic
AIM: To elicit the experiences and perspectives of health professionals working on the frontline in the COVIDâ19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: Although some qualitative studies have been carried out in health professionals during COVIDâ19 pandemic, to our knowledge, no study has used the Photovoice method. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study using Photovoice was carried out between March and June 2020. METHODS: A total of 20Â health professionals were recruited from public and private healthcare services. The participants were invited to share photographs about their experiences while working during COVIDâ19 pandemic. Following the Photovoice method, audioârecorded interviews were conducted. The data were analysed using the âSHOWEDâ mnemonic, with five questions answered about each photograph. The EQUATOR checklist has been used. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Three themes emerged: (1) Personal attitudes of health professionals; (2) Support from the community; and (3) Management of institutional resources. Despite the fact that health professionals in this study were exposed to major risks while caring for patients with COVIDâ19â they felt a strong sense of responsibility towards the community. In order to handle these stressful situations, they used coping mechanisms, good humour and leisure, but also received support from the population, who saw them as highly skilled health professionals. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the essential role of health professionals in the COVIDâ19 pandemic and the tireless work they are carrying out to provided highly skilled care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: These findings could contribute to raise awareness on the needs of health professionals during the pandemic, allowing managers to plan strategies to ensure the safety, and wellâbeing of these professionals, as well as adopting similar strategies in their practice to create a space for critical reflection through participatory approaches