Trauma and orthopaedic team members’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Thakrar, Amit; Raheem, Ali; Chui, Karen; Karam, Edward; Wickramarachchi, Lilanthi; Chin, Kuo-Kai

doi:10.1302/2046-3758.16.bjo-2020-0053.r1

Cited by 8 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Compared to male participants, female participants found it more challenging to manage their anxiety levels, particularly regarding the inadequate availability of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. These results are corroborated by a UK study conducted on orthopedic members [ 40 ]. The underlying association of female gender with a higher incidence of generalized anxiety across different countries was evident in a systematic review by Remes et al [ 41 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Anxiety and Sleep Disturbances Among Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in India: Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Gupta¹,

Sharma²,

Kumar³

et al. 2020

JMIR Public Health Surveill

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become a serious concern among the global medical community and has resulted in an unprecedented psychological impact on health care workers, who were already working under stressful conditions. Objective In this study, we aimed to evaluate and measure the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the anxiety levels and sleep quality among health care workers in India, as well as to determine how the unavailability of personal protective equipment affects their willingness to provide patient-related care. Methods We conducted an online cross-sectional study using piloted, structured questionnaires with self-reported responses from 368 volunteer male and female health care workers in India. Study participants were identified through social networking platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp. The survey evaluated the participants’ degree of signs and symptoms of anxiety and sleep quality based on the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and single-item Sleep Quality Scale, respectively. Information on the availability of personal protective equipment was collected based on responses to relevant survey questions. Results The majority of health care workers (126/368, 34.2%) were in the age group 45-60 years, and 52.2% (192/368) were doctors. Severe anxiety (ie, GAD-7 score >10) was observed among 7.3% (27/368) health care workers, whereas moderate, mild, and minimal anxiety was observed among 12.5% (46/368), 29.3% (108/368), and 50.8% (187/368) health care workers, respectively. Moreover, 31.5% (116/368) of the health care workers had poor-to-fair sleep quality (ie, scores <6). Univariate analysis showed female gender and inadequate availability of personal protective equipment was significantly associated with higher anxiety levels (P=.01 for both). Sleep disturbance was significantly associated with age <30 years (P=.04) and inadequate personal protective equipment (P<.001). Multivariable analysis showed that poorer quality of sleep was associated with higher anxiety levels (P<.001). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has potentially caused significant levels of anxiety and sleep disturbances among health care workers, particularly associated with the female gender, younger age group, and inadequate availability of personal protective equipment. These factors put health care workers at constant risk of contracting the infection themselves or transmitting it to their families. Early identification of at-risk health care workers and implementation of situation-tailored mitigation measures could help alleviate the risk of long-term, serious psychological sequelae as well as reduce current anxiety levels among health care workers.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Anxiety and Sleep Disturbances Among Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in India: Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Gupta¹,

Sharma²,

Kumar³

et al. 2020

JMIR Public Health Surveill

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…A Data reported as number of respondents (% of respondents). mental health survey of orthopaedic team members in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic found that the prevalence of GAD and MDD was almost three times and six times greater respectively than the general population [12]. These studies re-enforce the importance of providing mental health support to doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…A study by British Medical Association (BMA) during the COVID-19 pandemic found that of doctors were dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, emotional distress, or another mental health condition related to or made worse by their work [ 11 ]. A mental health survey of orthopaedic team members in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic found that the prevalence of GAD and MDD was almost three times and six times greater respectively than the general population [ 12 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health amongst obstetrics and gynaecology doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of a UK-wide study

Shah

Raheem

Sideris

et al. 2020

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductiv

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To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Study design: A cross-section survey-based study amongst doctors working within Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the United Kingdom. Results: A total of 207 doctors completed the survey. Obstetricians and Gynaecologists reported significantly higher rates of both Major Depressive Disorder (versus, p = 0.023) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (versus, p = 0.044) as compared to the UK-wide estimates. Subgroup analysis showed that anxiety was more common amongst female doctors as compared to males (versus, p = 0.047). Although the prevalence of GAD was higher amongst registrars compared to their Consultant and/or Senior House Officer counterparts, this was not statistically significant. Respondents felt that the most significant factor for work-related changes to mental health was keeping up to date with frequently changing guidelines and protocols related to COVID-19. Only of respondents felt able to talk to colleagues about their mental health. Conclusions: Key findings include the high prevalence of mental health conditions amongst doctors, demonstration of the persistent taboo that mental health carries within the speciality and the key contributory factors to poor mental health. Further work should be done to assess if changes to the way new and updating guidelines, protocols and pathways are disseminated reduces the impact on the mental health of doctors. With the threat of a second COVID-19 peak looming, now more than ever, it is vital that steps are taken to break the stigmatisation of mental health amongst doctors, encouraging doctors to seek help when required.

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“…So, they were offered Balint training for 12 months, which enhanced their confidence by improving their psychological outlook and interest in patient care [ 18 ]. Thakrar et al also observed poor mental health among HCWs in emergency departments [ 19 ]. A cross-sectional multicentre study conducted in eight cities in Iran on obstetrics and gynaecology specialists managing pregnant patients infected with COVID-19 showed significantly higher scores on a questionnaire evaluating depression as compared to other healthcare practitioners.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%