Hospital workforce mental reaction to the pandemic in a low COVID-19 burden setting: a cross-sectional clinical study

Abstract

Τhe COVID-19 pandemic has mental health implications for both healthcare workforces and general population, particularly in regions heavily hit by the crisis. Τhe 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.

COVID-19 psychological impact, knowledge and perceptions of healthcare professionals in Greece: Α nationwide cross-sectional study

“…36 Our results are placed in the lower end of the prevalence stage and frontline hospital workforce (27% and 45% respectively), but this was not the case for the severity of depressive symptoms (15% and 12% respectively). 21 Alternatively, it may be the case that healthcare professionals are under a continuously increased psychological burden. 37 Identified risk factors such as female gender, younger age, being a first-line healthcare worker, living in urban areas, having lower income and worse self-reported health status agree with the literature.…”

“…In Greece, the first case of the new coronavirus was reported on February 26th and, by the end of August 2021, the number of confirmed cases exceeded 581,315 with more than 13,581 deaths. 18 To date, few studies have assessed the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers in Greece, [19][20][21] whereas none explored the knowledge and perceptions of this professional group towards the new virus and their possible association with mental health symptoms.…”

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Vaccination: Scientific Facts. The Greek Report

“…The clinical consequences of the new virus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) range from asymptomatic phenotypes to acute respiratory distress syndrome, metabolic acidosis, liver, kidney and heart failure, while the virus also has implications on the mental health of the patients (Alexopoulos et al, 2022). COVID-19 affects different people in different ways.…”

Understanding the role of COVID‐19–related workplace stress and institutional betrayal on mental health in nurses: Some heroes wear scrubs

“…In a sample of 140 Greek medical professionals who were working directly with COVID‐19 patients, Alexopoulos et al. (2021) reported that 100% of participants had elevated self‐reported anxiety symptoms and 32% sample had elevated self‐reported depressive symptoms relative to the general population. Additionally, in their systematic review, Marvaldi et al.…”

“…For example, Song and colleagues (2020) reported rates of probable MDD and PTSD diagnoses, as assessed using self-report scales, among emergency department staff in China at 25.2% and 9.1%, respectively. In a sample of 140 Greek medical professionals who were working directly with COVID-19 patients, Alexopoulos et al (2021) reported that 100% of participants had elevated selfreported anxiety symptoms and 32% sample had elevated self-reported depressive symptoms relative to the general population. Additionally, in their systematic review, Marvaldi et al (2021) noted pooled prevalence rates of 30.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) [24.2, 37.05], for probable diagnostic-level anxiety; 31.1%, 95% CI [25.7,36.8], for depression and depressive symptoms; and 31.4%, 95% CI [9.9, 33.0], for PTSD symptoms.…”