Does Pandemic Anxiety Affect Urology Health Care Workers?

Abstract

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> To assess anxiety, stress level, and perception of safety during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in health care workers (HCWs) of one of Germany’s largest urology university clinics. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A cross-sectional study among urological HCWs was performed. HCWs were surveyed for anxiety about the pandemic, stress level and current workload, fear of coronavirus infection, current perception of safety at work, and attitude towards protective equipment and tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Sixty-three HCWs filled in the questionnaire. Overall anxiety of infection with CO­VID-19 is at a median of 4.7 with no statistically significant difference between nurses and physicians (<i>p</i> = 0.0749). Safety at work reaches a median of 6 out of 10. In fact, the highest fear in 56.7% (31/63) of the personnel is to get infected by a colleague tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 despite wearing surgical face masks. A proportion of 55.7 and 74.6% highly favor swabs for SARS-CoV-2 on a regular basis in HCWs and patients, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.0001). Workload in the urology department is clearly reduced during the pandemic (physicians 39.3% vs. nurses 32.2%, <i>p</i> = 0.0001) and 57.4% do not feel distress at all; only 27.9% express mental distress. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> During the pandemic, urology HCWs perceive lower burden by workload and deem themselves at low risk of infection. However, the greatest anxiety is related to infection by a SARS-CoV-2-positive colleague, despite reciprocal protection by surgical face masks. This highlights a relevant mental stress and uncertainty towards management of infected HCWs, calling for increased education and psychological support.

The impact of COVID 19 pandemic on urology literature: a bibliometric analysis

“…High impact on mental stress, anxiety, and changes in sexual attitudes was reported also among health professionals [ 33 ]. Several studies assessed the safety and protection measures adopted by urologists, including knowledge of protocols, use of protective devices and strategies to reduce the risk of viral transmission [ 34 ].…”

Effects of first year COVID-19 pandemic on urology practice in three major Arab Countries: Sub-Analysis of a survey by Arab association of urology research group

“…However, emotional intimidation was the most prevalent in the UAE, Egypt, and the KSA (80%, 76%, and 75.9%, respectively). These alarming findings demonstrate how supporting and monitoring urologists’ mental well-being during epidemics is just as crucial as maintaining their physical health [ 28 , 32 ].…”

“…Globally, there was relevant mental stress and uncertainty about the COVID-19 pandemic among urologists [32][33][34]. The psychological discomfort and the intense fear of infection were significant burdens [29].…”

Sorge vor Covid-19-Infektion und das Risiko für Burnout-Symptome: eine Studie zur Belastung von Pflegekräften in Brandenburger Pflegeheimen während der Covid-19-Pandemie

“…Auffällig ist, dass besonders das Pflegepersonal eine höhere Belastung als andere Berufsgruppen, zum Beispiel Ärzt*innen, angibt [5][6][7][8][9]. Dieses hat durch direkteren Kontakt zu infizierten Covid-19-Patient*innen möglicherweise ein höheres Risiko für psychosoziale Belastungen [9]. Eine Befragung nach dem subjektiven beruflichen Erleben von Pflegefachpersonen auf Intensivstationen in NRW zeigte beispielsweise, dass ein Großteil der Teilnehmer*innen sich große Sorgen machte, sich selbst (62,9 %) oder Angehörige (80 %) anzustecken [10].…”