A qualitative analysis of psychosocial stressors and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline healthcare personnel in the United States

Shah, Aarushi H; Becene, Iris A.; Nguyen, Katie Truc Nhat H; Stuart, Jennifer; West, Madeline G; Berrill, Jane E.S.; Hankins, Jennifer A.; Borba, Christina P.C.; Rich‐Edwards, Janet W.

doi:10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100130

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…These findings add to the body of evidence that underscores HCP compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress as significant challenges in the U.S. healthcare system, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic (Alanazi et al, 2022; Braquehais et al, 2020; Koontalay et al, 2021; Lluch et al, 2022). Additionally, our qualitative findings align with previous research indicating that COVID-related stressors such as the unpredictability of the pandemic, institutional stressors such as inadequate staffing, and societal stressors such as healthcare disparities are some of the underlying factors contributing to low HCP wellbeing (Shah et al, 2022; Zerden et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…These findings carry important implications for practice, policy, and research, as HCP compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress are associated with HCPs’ mental health, quality of patient care, error rate, malpractice claims, staff turnover, and patient dissatisfaction (Dasan et al, 2015; Pearman et al, 2020; Shah et al, 2022). Because of the profound impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on all sectors of society globally, it is critical to revisit the theoretical models used to explain and assess HCPs’ wellbeing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, compassion fatigue has been associated with increased irritability, reduced standard of care, negative patient experiences, or diminished workforce capacity due to early retirement (Dasan et al, 2015). Not only does burnout translate into poor mental health outcomes for HCPs such as substance abuse and suicidality, but it also adversely impacts clinical care, increasing the incidence of errors, malpractice claims, staff turnover and absenteeism, and patient dissatisfaction (NASEM, 2019; Pearman et al, 2020; Shah et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Structural Factors Contributing to Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Hospital-Based Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Chatham,

Petruzzi,

Patel

et al. 2023

Qual Health Res

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High levels of burnout among healthcare providers (HCPs) have been a widely documented phenomenon, which have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the United States, qualitative studies that are inclusive of HCPs in diverse professional roles have been limited. Therefore, we utilized a qualitative–quantitative design to examine professional quality of life in terms of compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress among hospital-based HCPs, including social workers, hospitalists, residents, and palliative care team members during COVID-19. HCPs ( n = 26) participated in virtual semi-structured focus groups or individual interviews and online surveys ( n = 30) including the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Scale. While ProQOL scores indicated low levels of compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, thematic analysis of our qualitative data included rich descriptions of compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. Safety concerns and value misalignment characterized structural stressors perceived to contribute to HCP compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. The discrepancy between our qualitative and quantitative findings may be indication that modifications to current screenings are warranted. These findings also suggest a need to identify and implement structural and policy changes that increase HCPs’ physical and emotional safety and promote better alignment of institutional interests with HCP values.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Structural Factors Contributing to Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Hospital-Based Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Chatham,

Petruzzi,

Patel

et al. 2023

Qual Health Res

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“…These principles are applied in different sectors to improve the services offered [ 43 ]. Several recent studies underlined the importance of socialization in various industries and media to maintain functional relations during a crisis [ 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ]. These were the basis for postulating the subsequent statements.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Sustainable Communication Patterns during the Telework Period in Western Romanian Corporations

Ţigan

Blaga

Isac

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The research was conducted in a particular context, the recent pandemic. It is a comparative study of the methods and quality of communication in global companies between 2021 and 2022. The corporations involved in the research are important providers of flexible production, quality, and logistics solutions that cover customers’ real needs. They are active in the automotive industry and units involved in mass production in the electronics industry, household appliances, and cosmetics industries. In their case, it was noted that to achieve operational objectives such as developing employee skills, using advanced technologies, and exceeding customer expectations, it is important to use innovative methods and tools such as single platforms, which allow access to the most important information from a distance, anywhere, anytime. It is significant that, according to the research, the preferred method of communication by employees, regardless of the existing conditions, is face-to-face. Primarily, this method is chosen because it provides an open area of interpersonal interaction. The participants observe non-verbal attitudes or can perceive emotions and feelings. Their personality can be identified through unintentional contact to obtain constructive feedback through guidance and counseling. Moreover, it can be formed and develop productive, intentional connections. Stakeholders’ efficient and effective open dialogs are encouraged in this sense.

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“…4 These factors contributed to low infectionpreventionist morale and reports of deteriorating mental and physical health and increasing reports of burnout. 3,5 Infection preventionists are critical to patient safety due to their multifaceted roles as educators and implementers of infection prevention practices. Prior research suggests that effective efforts by infection preventionists requires leadership support, a psychologically safe environment, and a strong safety climate.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of hospital leadership support on burnout, psychological safety, and safety climate for US infection preventionists during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic

Gilmartin,

Saint,

Ratz

et al. 2023

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.

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Objective: To explore infection preventionists’ perceptions of hospital leadership support for infection prevention and control programs during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and relationships with individual perceptions of burnout, psychological safety, and safety climate. Design: Cross-sectional survey, administered April through December 2021. Setting: Random sample of non-federal acute-care hospitals in the United States. Participants: Lead infection preventionists. Results: We received responses from 415 of 881 infection preventionists, representing a response rate of 47%. Among respondents, 64% reported very good to excellent hospital leadership support for their infection prevention and control program. However, 49% reported feeling burned out from their work. Also, ∼30% responded positively for all 7 psychological safety questions and were deemed to have “high psychological safety,” and 76% responded positively to the 2 safety climate questions and were deemed to have a “high safety climate.” Our results indicate an association between strong hospital leadership support and lower burnout (IRR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.50–0.74), higher perceptions of psychological safety (IRR, 3.20; 95% CI, 2.00–5.10), and a corresponding 1.2 increase in safety climate on an ascending Likert scale from 1 to 10 (β, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.93–1.49). Conclusions: Our national survey provides evidence that hospital leadership support may have helped infection preventionists avoid burnout and increase perceptions of psychological safety and safety climate during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings aid in identifying factors that promote the well-being of infection preventionists and enhance the quality and safety of patient care.

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A qualitative analysis of psychosocial stressors and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline healthcare personnel in the United States

Cited by 15 publications

References 49 publications

Structural Factors Contributing to Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Hospital-Based Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Structural Factors Contributing to Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Hospital-Based Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Analysis of Sustainable Communication Patterns during the Telework Period in Western Romanian Corporations

The influence of hospital leadership support on burnout, psychological safety, and safety climate for US infection preventionists during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic

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