Perceived Concerns and Psychological Distress of Healthcare Workers Facing Three Early Stages of COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

BackgroundThis study analyzed the difference in psychological distress of the healthcare workers in three different periods of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Argentina. Specifically, from the third week of the mandatory quarantine through the two following weeks.MethodsAnalysis of the responses of 1,458 members of the health personnel was done on a questionnaire on healthcare workers concerns regarding the care of patients with coronavirus, indicators of depression, anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping.ResultsThe psychological indicators that were considered presented differences between the evaluated periods. Perceived concerns about the possibility of infecting loved ones and infecting themselves were greatest in the periods after the onset of the pandemic. In addition, the perception of how the work environment worsened and how lack of sleep interfered with their work was also higher in periods 2 and 3. The same results were found in the indicators of depression, anxiety, and intolerance of uncertainty. Finally, the indicators of high tension and concurrent lack of emotional control, which was greater in the last periods evaluated, were also expressed in the coping strategies (showing emotional lability, only contained by hypercontrol).ConclusionThe differences found in the psychological indicators between the evaluated periods support the need for early psychological care of health personnel which should be a priority of public health and a fundamental fact to increase its immediate effectiveness in the care of infected patients.

The COLIBAS Study—COVID-19 Lockdown Effects on Mood, Academic Functioning, Alcohol Consumption, and Perceived Immune Fitness: Data from Buenos Aires University Students

“…Some studies linked negative mood effects to the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Argentinean economy and the corresponding uncertainty about the future [26,27]. Regarding specific job types, several studies have reported psychological distress, burnout, sleep problems, and lower mood among physicians and other healthcare workers, particularly among those that experienced increased work-related stress and workload during the COVID-19 pandemic [28][29][30][31][32]. The formerly mentioned lockdown effects have also been demonstrated in specific patient cohorts, including patients with cognitive impairment [33].…”

Association between physiotherapist sleep duration and working environment during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan: A secondary retrospective analysis study

“…During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, insomnia [ 7 ] and sleep disorders [ 8 ] among HCPs had been reported, with 59.5% of HCPs experiencing lack of sleep [ 9 ]. Furthermore, evidence suggests that the poor working environment and lack of sleep had an impact on their work performance [ 10 ]. Aside from being a predictor of stress symptoms [ 11 ], depression [ 11 ], and major depressive disorder and its severity [ 12 ], sleep duration has also been associated with coronary artery disease [ 13 – 15 ].…”

Parenting and Children’s Behavior During the COVID 19 Pandemic: Mother’s Perspective

“…However, the healthcare workers knew that trained human resources were not enough and that it was not possible to train them in such a short period. All of this, combined with a very fragile economic situation, aggravated by social isolation that could hardly be implemented by people who needed to go out to work, the added precarious living conditions in a large part of the population ( Ernst and López Mourelo, 2020 ), concentrated in Buenos Aires city and its surroundings (Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires), where the coronavirus did not take long to spread, led the healthcare workers to believe the numbers of infections would increase significantly and the health system could collapse ( Richaud et al, 2021 ).…”