Characterizing the mental health and functioning of Canadian respiratory therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) appear to be at increased risk for negative psychological outcomes [e.g. depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), moral distress] and associated impacts on functioning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. HCPs working on designated COVID-19 units may be further impacted than their colleagues not on these units given added demands of patient care and risk of contracting COVID-19. Little is known, however, about the mental health and functioning of specific professional groups beyond nurses and physicians, including respiratory therapists (RTs), over the course of the pandemic. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study was to characterize the mental health and functioning of Canadian RTs and compare profiles between RTs working on and off designated COVID-19 units. Methods: Canadian RTs completed an online survey between February and June 2021, including demographic information (e.g. age, sex, gender,) and measures of depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, moral distress and functional impairment. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses and between-groups comparisons were conducted to characterize RTs and compare profiles between those on and off COVID-19 units. Results: Two hundred and eighteen ( N = 218) RTs participated in this study. The estimated response rate was relatively low (6.2%) Approximately half of the sample endorsed clinically relevant symptoms of depression (52%), anxiety (51%) and stress (54%) and one in three (33%) screened positively for potential PTSD. All symptoms correlated positively with functional impairment ( p 's < .05). RTs working on COVID-19 units reported significantly greater patient-related moral distress compared to those not on these units ( p < .05). Conclusion: Moral distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD were prevalent among Canadian RTs and were associated with functional impacts. These results must be interpreted with caution given a low response rate, yet raise concern regarding the long-term impacts of pandemic service among RTs.

On the path to recovery: traumatic stress research during the COVID-19 pandemic 2021–2023

“…During the pandemic, frontline health workers including nurses and physicians (Ford et al, 2022 ), but also professionals and paraprofessionals from a wide variety of allied health fields such as respiratory therapists (D'Alessandro-Lowe et al, 2023 ), public safety personnel (Rodrigues et al, 2023 ), and social care workers (Zerach & Levi-Belz, 2021 ) were exposed to extreme hazards (e.g., viral transmission, insufficient PPE) and workplace stressors (e.g., medical crises, patients and families separated and in distress, deaths of patients and co-workers, moral dilemmas) (Adams et al, 2023 ; Berkhout et al, 2022 ; Laurent et al, 2022 ). It is important to remember that no one-size-fits-all in the experiences, adaptations, and difficulties experienced by front-line workers based on differences in the pandemic-related stressors that confronted workers of different occupational backgrounds and responsibilities, in their stress-related reactions, and their life contexts (Tekin et al, 2022 ) (Patel et al, 2023 ; Qureshi et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Stressors confronting healthcare workers extend into their personal lives, including fear and guilt regarding the safety of loved ones (Hegarty et al, 2022 ; Laurent et al, 2022 ; Plouffe et al, 2021 ; Qureshi et al, 2022 ; Wilson et al, 2022 ; Yeung et al, 2023 ), isolation in lengthy periods of self-quarantine (Fino et al, 2021 ), and stigma and violence from community members (Assefa et al, 2021 ; McCall et al, 2023 ). Despite preventive recommendations from the World Health Organization as early as March 2020, front-line workers caring for patients infected with the coronavirus experienced multiple potentially traumatic stressors including exposure to the virus without consistent or sufficient access to adequate personal protective equipment and personal viral testing, and feeling entrapped in life threatening conditions by external coercion and a sense of obligation to do whatever was necessary to save the lives or ameliorate the suffering of their patients while not abandoning or betraying the trust of co-workers (D'Alessandro-Lowe et al, 2023 ; McGlinchey et al, 2021 ). These stressors were amplified in settings that lacked economic and medical resources: frontline workers in low and middle-income countries were more likely to view occupational health/safety and infection prevention /control programmes as inadequate than workers in high-income countries (Bapolisi et al, 2022 ; Harrigan et al, 2022 ; Zhang & Chen, 2021 ).…”

“… 32. D'Alessandro-Lowe et al ( 2023 ). Characterizing the mental health and functioning of Canadian respiratory therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic Moral distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD were prevalent among Canadian Respiratory Therapists and were associated with functional impacts.…”

Prevalence and sociodemographic factors of depression, anxiety and stress in Saudi Arabia: a survey of respiratory therapists

“…Among RTs, the reported prevalence was 58% ( 11 ). According to D’Alessandro-Lowe et al., in a study conducted in 2023 among Canadian RTs, symptoms of depression were reported in 52% of the total Canadian RTs who participated in the study ( 12 ). Depression may have negative implications on RTs, ranging from lower job satisfaction and higher absenteeism to poor patient care quality ( 13 ).…”

“…In addition, anxiety may harm RTs’ well-being, work performance, and interpersonal connections with colleagues and patients. Several studies have investigated and reported the prevalence of anxiety among healthcare workers ranging between 21% and 51% ( 12 , 15 , 16 ), while the reported prevalence of anxiety among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia was between 24% and 56% ( 8 , 10 , 17 , 18 ). Among RTs, the reported prevalence of anxiety was 21% ( 16 ).…”