Health uncertainty among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: Health uncertainty among healthcare workers has yet to be examined as a contributor to the psychological toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to (1) characterize health uncertainty levels among healthcare workers in a large, U.S. hospital system during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) examine associations between health uncertainty and psychological outcomes.Methods: From March to June 2020, healthcare workers in a large, urban U.S. healthcare system were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Self-report measures assessed sociodemographic characteristics and job roles, health uncertainty, and emotional wellbeing variables (anxiety, depression, loneliness, self-compassion, and coping confidence). Health uncertainty (categorical and continuous scores) was compared across each variable using correlations and ANOVAs.Results: Healthcare workers (N = 440) were on average 44.5 years of age, 88.9% female, and 84.5% non-Hispanic white. Over half (52%) endorsed experiencing health uncertainty “sometimes” to “all the time”. While unrelated to sociodemographic characteristics (ps > .05), health uncertainty was highest among pharmacists and technicians, with levels significantly higher than other roles including physicians (p < .05) and mental health and spiritual counselors (p < .05). Higher health uncertainty was associated with higher anxiety (p < .001), depression (p < .001), and loneliness (p < .001), higher self-compassion (p = .02), and lower coping confidence (p < .001).Conclusions: Health uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic is common among healthcare workers, with higher levels related to poorer emotional wellbeing and less confidence in their coping abilities. Further research is needed to understand the relationships between healthcare workers’ health uncertainties and associated factors (i.e., job roles) and to identify whether health uncertainty may be a modifiable target for future interventions.

Validation of the 4-Item and 10-Item Uncertainty Stress Scale in a Community-Based Sample of Chinese Adults

“…For instance, one study reported that during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers with higher levels of health-related uncertainty suffered from more pronounced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. 36 In addition, the COVID-19-related increase in the level of uncertainty stress has also been associated with poorer sleep status. 37 Although the above-presented evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic is a major driver of uncertainty stress…”

“…For instance, one study reported that during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers with higher levels of health-related uncertainty suffered from more pronounced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. 36 In addition, the COVID-19-related increase in the level of uncertainty stress has also been associated with poorer sleep status. 37 Although the above-presented evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic is a major driver of uncertainty stress worsening physical and mental health, 1 , 6 , 36 , 37 future longitudinal studies assessing how uncertainty stress changes over time, accounting for potential future waves of COVID-19 spread, are needed to investigate this phenomenon in more detail.…”

“…worsening physical and mental health, 1,6,36,37 future longitudinal studies assessing how uncertainty stress changes over time, accounting for potential future waves of COVID-19 spread, are needed to investigate this phenomenon in more detail. Moreover, the findings of the current study highlighted that uncertainty stress is greater among younger adults, rural residents, divorced/widowed or unmarried adults, and adults with a lower socioeconomic level.…”