Evaluating the mental health and well-being of Canadian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak

Wilbiks, Jonathan M. P.; Best, Lisa A.; Law, Moira A.; Roach, Sean P.

doi:10.1177/08404704211021109

Cited by 44 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…A study conducted in Argentina on 234 health professionals showed that 40% of the sample population presented hair cortisol values outside of the healthy reference range in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby showing a direct correlation with the perceived stress and the emotional exhaustion component of burnout [ 39 ]. In Canada, by surveying health professionals, Wilbiks et al [ 67 ] described that there was an elevated level of depressive symptomatology in that population. The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression in frontline health care professionals caring for patients with COVID-19 was already described for some small groups such as those described with a convenience sample of 364 health workers, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory technicians [ 58 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions and Feelings of Brazilian Health Care Professionals Regarding the Effects of COVID-19: Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey

Corrêa¹,

Castro²,

Quaresma³

et al. 2021

JMIR Form Res

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Background The importance of health professionals has been recognized in COVID-19 pandemic–affected countries, especially in those such as Brazil, which is one of the top 3 countries that have been affected in the world. However, the workers’ perception of the stress and the changes that the pandemic has caused in their lives vary according to the conditions offered by these affected countries, including salaries, individual protection equipment, and psychological support. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of Brazilian health workers regarding the COVID-19 pandemic impact on their lives, including possible self-contamination and mental health. Methods This cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in Brazil by applying a 32-item questionnaire, including multiple-choice questions by using the Google Forms electronic assessment. This study was designed to capture spontaneous perceptions from health professionals. All questions were mandatory and divided into 2 blocks with different proposals: personal profile and COVID-19 pandemic impact. Results We interviewed Brazilian health professionals from all 5 Brazilian regions (N=1376). Our study revealed that 1 in 5 (23%) complained about inadequate personal protective equipment, including face shields (234/1376, 17.0%), masks (206/1376, 14.9%), and laboratory coats (138/1376, 10.0%), whereas 1 in 4 health professionals did not have enough information to protect themselves from the coronavirus disease. These professionals had anxiety due to COVID-19 (604/1376, 43.9%), difficulties in sleep (593/1376, 43.1%), and concentrating on work (453/1376, 32.9%). Almost one-third experienced traumatic situations at work (385/1376, 28.0%), which may have led to negative feelings of fear of COVID-19 and sadness. Despite this situation, there was hope and empathy among their positive feelings. The survey also showed that 1 in 5 acquired COVID-19 with the most classic and minor symptoms, including headache (274/315, 87.0%), body pain (231/315, 73.3%), tiredness (228/315, 72.4%), and loss of taste and smell (208/315, 66.0%). Some of their negative feelings were higher than those of noninfected professionals (fear of COVID-19, 243/315, 77.1% vs 509/1061, 48.0%; impotence, 142/315, 45.1% vs 297/1061, 28.0%; and fault, 38/315, 12.1% vs 567/1061, 53.4%, respectively). Another worrying outcome was that 61.3% (193/315) reported acquiring an infection while working at a health facility and as expected, most of the respondents felt affected (344/1376, 25.0%) or very affected (619/1376, 45.0%) by the COVID-19. Conclusions In Brazil, the health professionals were exposed to a stressful situation and to the risk of self-contamination—conditions that can spell future psychological problems for these workers. Our survey findings showed that the psychological support for this group should be included in the future health planning of Brazil and of other hugely affected countries to assure a good mental health condition for the medical teams in the near future.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions and Feelings of Brazilian Health Care Professionals Regarding the Effects of COVID-19: Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey

Corrêa¹,

Castro²,

Quaresma³

et al. 2021

JMIR Form Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has caused considerable strain on the mental health of health care workers [14][15][16][17][18][19]26]. This strain can lead to absenteeism, which increases the demand for additional workers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress and Burnout Among Mental Health Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sadek

MacDonald

Streeter

2021

CIM

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Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has deeply altered social and working environments among health care workers. These health care workers are therefore at risk of additional psychosocial strain and ensuing metal health symptoms, which indirectly affects patient care. In this study, we aimed to assess the psychosocial and psychopathological impact of COVID-19 among acute care mental health and addictions staff. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey and contains a sample size of 60 mental health and addiction acute care workers recruited from within Nova Scotia Health Authority. The survey was constructed using the online survey system, Opinio, and consisted of three sections: demographic variables (gender, age group and profession); the DASS-21 Questionnaire (which provides dimensional measures of stress, anxiety and depression); and the MBI-HSS (MP) Questionnaire (which measures three dimensions of burnout—emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal achievement). Results: The majority of participants had at least one pathologic score on the DASS-21 and MBI-HSS (MP) sections (75.5% and 93.5%, respectively). The median severity on the DASS-21 and MBI-HSS (MP) were both moderate, with the younger age group (20-35 years) having more significant burnout scores (p = 0.0494). Simple logistic regression showed a significant relationship between burnout severity and pathologic distress, and simple linear regression showed significant correlation between DASS-21 and MBI-HSS (MP) scores, with a R2 value of 0.4633. Conclusion: More planning, programs, resources and further research are needed to support wellness and recovery of all health care professionals who work at the mental health and addictions acute care unit.

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“…Emerging evidence in Canada and elsewhere indicates that the mental health of HCPs is negatively affected by the pandemic. HCPs have reported sleep disturbances, fatigue, and episodes of insomnia [ 4 , 5 ] as well as increased prevalence of anxiety [ 6 , 7 ], depressive symptoms [ 8 , 9 ], suicide ideation [ 8 ], and posttraumatic stress symptoms triggered by repeated intense stressful experiences and reduced social life [ 5 , 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Mental Health Stressors of Health Care Providers in the Pandemic Acceptance and Commitment to Empowerment Response (PACER) Intervention: Qualitative Study

Sato¹,

Adumattah²,

Abulencia³

et al. 2022

JMIR Form Res

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Background Since the pandemic, more Canadians have reported poorer mental health. A vital group experiencing a high level of stressors consists of health care providers (HCPs) caring for COVID-19 patients, carrying out public health responses, or working with vulnerable populations. The mental health of HCPs is negatively affected by the pandemic, not only at work but also at home and in the community. Intersecting stressors at multiple levels contribute to HCPs’ experiences of fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Objective The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the pandemic stressors experienced by HCPs at work, at home, and in the community before participating in the Pandemic Acceptance and Commitment to Empowerment Response (PACER) online intervention. Methods Informed by a social ecological approach, we used a qualitative reflective approach to engage 74 HCPs in diverse roles. Data were collected during the first 2 waves of the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020 to February 2021) in Canada. Results Informed by a social ecological framework, 5 overarching themes were identified in our thematic analysis: (1) personal level stressors that highlight HCPs’ identities and responsibilities beyond the workplace; (2) interpersonal level stressors from disrupted social relationships; (3) organizational stressors that contributed to unsettled workplaces and moral distress; (4) community and societal stressors attributed to vicarious trauma and emotional labor; and (5) the multilevel and cumulative impacts of COVID-19 stressors on HCPs’ health. Conclusions COVID-19 is not merely a communicable disease but also a social and political phenomenon that intensifies the effects of social inequities. Current understanding of pandemic stressors affecting HCPs is largely partial in nature. Although workplace stressors of HCPs are real and intense, they need to be explored and understood in the context of stressors that exist in other domains of HCPs’ lives such as family and community to ensure these experiences are not being silenced by the “hero” discourses or overshadowed by professional demands.

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Evaluating the mental health and well-being of Canadian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak

Cited by 44 publications

References 31 publications

Perceptions and Feelings of Brazilian Health Care Professionals Regarding the Effects of COVID-19: Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey

Perceptions and Feelings of Brazilian Health Care Professionals Regarding the Effects of COVID-19: Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey

Stress and Burnout Among Mental Health Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Mental Health Stressors of Health Care Providers in the Pandemic Acceptance and Commitment to Empowerment Response (PACER) Intervention: Qualitative Study

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