A Practical Guide for Frontline Workers During COVID-19: Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory

Vo, Timothea

doi:10.1177/2374373520968392

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] However, the extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the critical role being played by the PHEP workforce as part of the emergency response, highlights the potential for increased threats to the mental health of public health workers. 19 Understanding the prevalence of anxiety and depression among public health workers is particularly important because previous research has linked both symptoms and diagnoses of anxiety and depression to burnout and suicidal behavior among frontline disaster responders. 20 One way to mitigate both the prevalence and the future impacts of mental health conditions associated with emergency response may be access to higher levels of social support.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anxiety and depression among public health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pfender¹,

Stone²,

Kintziger³

et al. 2022

JEM

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Introduction: The public health workforce plays an essential role in the response to disasters and emergencies. Little is known about the prevalence of anxiety and depression among the public health emergency preparedness workforce responding to COVID-19 or the potential for social support to protect public health workers from adverse outcomes.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among a sample of the public health workforce participating in the response to COVID-19. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Poisson regression with robust standard errors.Results: Overall, 39.6 percent (140 of 345) of respondents reported anxiety and 29.4 percent (104 of 345) reported depression. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was higher among those who worked more hours (PR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2, 2.0) and days (PR = 1.3; 95% CI: 0.9, 1.8) per week. Anxiety was 40 percent more prevalent (PR = 1.4; 95% CI: 0.8, 2.4) among those with between 1 and 4 years of work experience, while depression was 60 percent more prevalent (PR = 1.6; 95% CI: 0.8, 3.1) among those with 5 to 9 years of experience. Compared to those with a bachelor’s degree, those with a master’s degree reported 30 percent more anxiety (PR = 1.3; 95% CI: 0.9, 1.9). Having at least three sources of social support related to comfort and caring reduced the prevalence of depression among those working the most hours per week (PR = 1.5; 1.1, 2.3 compared to PR = 2.0; 95% CI: 0.9, 4.5). Economic and practical support was more consistently protective, with a reduced prevalence of anxiety and depression among those working the most hours per week, days per week, and those with more education when at least three sources of support were reported.Discussion: Anxiety and depression symptoms and diagnoses have been associated with burnout and suicide among frontline disaster responders. The public health workforce on the frontlines of the COVID-19 emergency response has high rates of depression and anxiety, which must be addressed through robust individual- and organizational-level supports.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anxiety and depression among public health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pfender¹,

Stone²,

Kintziger³

et al. 2022

JEM

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“…Although numerous studies have been carried out examining the essential worker (including frontline workers such as nurses (Azeem et al, 2014;Giorgi et al, 2020;Vo, 2020), medical doctors (Grace et al, 2005), and emergency response personnel such as fire fighters and ambulance personnel (Antony et al, 2020;Vo, 2020), this study is the first to identify that the OSHP had a significant role to play, as an essential worker (Ivanov, 2020), and as individuals whom could be exposed to multiple stressors (Probst et al, 2008) as a result of their work. Their workload also increased urgently and dramatically with many assuming responsibilities such as advising business leaders about business continuity and resiliency planning; assisting workers to adapt to working-at-home schemes with associated risks; and modifying workplaces to reduce potential exposure to the pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the role of the occupational safety and health professional in supporting the control of the risks of multiple psychosocial stressors generated during the COVID-19 pandemic

Gold¹,

Sharman²,

Thomas

2022

Humanit Soc Sci Commun

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COVID-19 created challenges at work with increased risks of multiple interrelated psychosocial stressors, surfacing as a comorbidity of COVID-19. The roles of many Occupational Safety and Health Practitioners (OSHPs) included helping to recognise, prevent and mitigate these risks, especially for essential and front-line workers. The rationale for this study was to investigate potential competency gaps amongst OSHPs on their lack of priority or inability to understand the scope of the negative synergistic effects of these stressors and provide support where and when appropriate. Drawing on the International Labour Office (ILO) SOLVE methodology, eight psychosocial stressors were identified and a seminar was developed to raise the awareness of the comorbidity of COVID-19 and psychosocial stressors with the target audience of OSHPs, who would potentially further disseminate this information to a broader workforce. The membership network of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) was used to implement the intervention through organising Zoom-based seminars globally. Participants were followed-up with during the seminar and through a one-year post-seminar survey to determine retention of the presented material and to what extent it was put to use. An information sheet was designed and made available to participants for further dissemination. The information sheet can be used by all industries at all levels as a tool to raise awareness and to signpost participants on where to seek help if needed. Twenty-five seminars were held with 2483 participants. Feedback revealed that participants grasped the presented concepts as many of the questions raised during and after the session focused on the implementation of the presented measures. We concluded that, given the correct knowledge, OHSPs are an invaluable resource to lead workforce engagement in this area. Due to UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), there were difficulties undertaking the follow-up survey. Those who could be contacted indicated that where they could influence an intervention, there were improvements in the workplace. It is recommended that participant data be controlled by the research team with qualitative data recorded. Further studies are needed to review both competencies and existing job descriptions of OSHPs and the challenges around expanding responsibilities to lead psychosocial interventions at work.

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“…Caregivers have been reported to experience fatigue, discomfort, and helplessness, as well as fear, anxiety, and concern for patients and other family members [ 16 ]. HCPs have experienced increased vulnerability to infection [ 17 ], challenges in providing compassionate care [ 18 , 19 ], and changes in practice, including navigating the increased use of telehealth and changes in prescribing practices [ 6 , 20 – 23 ]. This analysis adds to the existing literature by providing additional insights on how COVID-19 is shaping the illness experience, but also extends these findings to the overall human experience.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on patient and healthcare professional attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors toward the healthcare system and on the dynamics of the healthcare pathway

Bernacki

Keister

Sapiro³

et al. 2021

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background COVID-19 has dramatically changed how healthcare is delivered and experienced. Methods One-on-one interviews and a virtual ethnographic roundtable were conducted among 45 patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in 4 therapeutic areas from the United States and Japan: overactive bladder, vasomotor symptoms, prostate cancer, and metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The goal was to identify the impact of COVID-19 on patient/caregiver and HCP attitudes, interactions, beliefs, and behaviors toward the healthcare system and care pathway. Results Four foundational themes were identified: 1) COVID-19 risk is relative; 2) isolation is collateral damage; 3) telehealth is a parallel universe; and 4) COVID-19 is destabilizing the foundations of healthcare. Numerous insights, influenced by diverse cultural, social, and psychological factors, were identified within each theme. Conclusions The impacts of COVID-19 were noticeable at multiple points of care during the “universal” care pathway, including at initial screening, referral to specialists, diagnosis, treatment initiation/surgery, and during ongoing care. Greater appreciation of the short- and long-term impacts of COVID-19 and resulting gaps in care may act as a catalyst for positive change in future patient care.

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A Practical Guide for Frontline Workers During COVID-19: Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory

Cited by 8 publications

References 12 publications

Anxiety and depression among public health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Anxiety and depression among public health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Examining the role of the occupational safety and health professional in supporting the control of the risks of multiple psychosocial stressors generated during the COVID-19 pandemic

Impact of COVID-19 on patient and healthcare professional attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors toward the healthcare system and on the dynamics of the healthcare pathway

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