Psychological impacts and coping strategies of front-line medical staff during COVID-19 outbreak in Hunan, China

Abstract

Background:Throughout China, during the recent epidemic in Hubei province, frontline medical staff have been responsible for tracing contacts of patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 . This study aimed to investigate the psychological impact and coping strategies of frontline medical staff in Hunan province, adjacent to Hubei province, during the COVID-19 outbreak between January and March 2020. Material/Methods:A cross-sectional observational study included doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff throughout Hunan province between January and March 2020. The study questionnaire included five sections and 67 questions (scores, 0 -3). The chi-squared χ² test was used to compare the responses between professional groups, age-groups, and gender. Results:Study questionnaires were completed by 534 frontline medical staff. The responses showed that they believed they had a social and professional obligation to continue working long hours. Medical staff were anxious regarding their safety and the safety of their families and reported psychological effects from reports of mortality from COVID-19 infection. The availability of strict infection control guidelines, specialized equipment, recognition of their efforts by hospital management and the government, and reduction in reported cases of COVID-19 provided psychological benefit. Conclusions:The COVID-19 outbreak in Hubei resulted in increased stress for medical staff in adjacent Hunan province. Continued acknowledgment of the medical staff by hospital management and the government, provision of infection control guidelines, specialized equipment and facilities for the management of COVID-19 infection should be recognized as factors that may encourage medical staff to work during future epidemics.

Factors Associated With Psychological Distress, Fear and Coping Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia

“…A structured online survey questionnaire was used to collect data from participants, which was developed based on evidence from studies published previously [12][13][14][15]. Data were collected regarding socio-demographics (age, gender, state, postcode, living with or without family members, country of birth, and completed level of education).…”

Anpassungsstörung, Depression, Stresssymptome, Corona bezogene Sorgen und Bewältigungsstrategien während der Corona Pandemie (COVID-19) bei Schweizer Klinikpersonal

“…Perlis [27] kritisiert drei Punkte an den obigen COVID-19-Studien: erstens, dass kaum Angaben über psychische Belastungen und Störungen gemacht werden, die vor der Corona Pandemie eventuell bestanden hatten, zweitens, dass unklar bleibe, ob diese psychischen Reaktionen spezifisch für Pflegende ist oder ein generelles Charakteristikum aller Personen während dieser Pandemie, drittens, dass nicht abzusehen ist, inwiefern diese Symptome nach der Corona Pandemie andauern. Über dies hinaus wurden keine Daten über Bewältigungsstrategien, wie von Cai et al [28] empfohlen, erhoben. Denn ob sich KLE tatsächlich negativ auswirken, hängt auch vom Umgang bzw.…”

“…Die vorliegende Studie beginnt diese Lücke zu füllen. Ähnlich aufgebaut wie die oben genannten Studien [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23], die Kritikpunkte von Perlis [27] etwas berücksichtigend sowie ergänzt um die von Cai et al [28] [32] wurde erhoben, ob die ST im Erwachsenenalter eines oder mehrere der folgenden potenziell traumatischen Ereignisse erlebt haben: Kriegserfahrungen, körperliche Bedrohung, Vergewaltigung, sexueller Missbrauch in der Kindheit, Naturkatastrophe, schwerwiegender Unfall, Geiselhaft oder Entführung, lebensbedrohliche Erkrankung. Die ST gaben auf einer dichotomen Skala an, ob sie selber oder als Zeuge eines der Ereignisse erlebt haben.…”

Depressive, Anxiety, and Burnout Symptoms on Health Care Personnel at a Month After COVID-19 Outbreak in Indonesia: A Documentary Research Using Rasch Model Analysis

“…Styta et al argues that the risk factors for psychologic pressure among health professionals are their perceptions on their job's risks, working in a high-risk environment, the diseases' effects on their working life, and the possibility for being infected by the patients [19]. Chai et al explained that the cause for the same condition are that the health professionals worry about their as well as their family's safety, particularly when treating a deceased patient [20]. Conversely, adequate and strict infection control protocol, complete safety equipment, and solemn recognition and adequate appreciation from their institutions and government on their role in managing patients with COVID-19 are essential to increasing their psychology [20].…”

“…Chai et al explained that the cause for the same condition are that the health professionals worry about their as well as their family's safety, particularly when treating a deceased patient [20]. Conversely, adequate and strict infection control protocol, complete safety equipment, and solemn recognition and adequate appreciation from their institutions and government on their role in managing patients with COVID-19 are essential to increasing their psychology [20].…”