High levels of psychosocial distress among Australian frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound and prolonged impact on healthcare services and healthcare workers.AimsThe Australian COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers Study aimed to investigate the severity and prevalence of mental health issues, as well as the social, workplace and financial disruptions experienced by Australian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA nationwide, voluntary, anonymous, single timepoint, online survey was conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020. Individuals self-identifying as frontline healthcare workers in secondary or primary care were invited to participate. Participants were recruited through health organisations, professional associations or colleges, universities, government contacts and national media. Demographics, home and work situation, health and psychological well-being data were collected.ResultsA total of 9518 survey responses were received; of the 9518 participants, 7846 (82.4%) participants reported complete data. With regard to age, 4110 (52.4%) participants were younger than 40 years; 6344 (80.9%) participants were women. Participants were nurses (n=3088, 39.4%), doctors (n=2436, 31.1%), allied health staff (n=1314, 16.7%) or in other roles (n=523, 6.7%). In addition, 1250 (15.9%) participants worked in primary care. Objectively measured mental health symptoms were common: mild to severe anxiety (n=4694, 59.8%), moderate to severe burnout (n=5458, 70.9%) and mild to severe depression (n=4495, 57.3%). Participants were highly resilient (mean (SD)=3.2 (0.66)). Predictors for worse outcomes on all scales included female gender; younger age; pre-existing psychiatric condition; experiencing relationship problems; nursing, allied health or other roles; frontline area; being worried about being blamed by colleagues and working with patients with COVID-19.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic is associated with significant mental health symptoms in frontline healthcare workers. Crisis preparedness together with policies and practices addressing psychological well-being are needed.

Experiences of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic amongst Australian healthcare workers: from stressors to protective factors

“…Such rapid changes have had wideranging and dramatic effects on healthcare systems and workers, who are identified as a highrisk group for negative psychological impacts due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (5) . Multiple publications identify a spectrum of psychological symptoms and emotions experienced by HCWs in outbreak contexts, including concerns about infection risk, stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and burnout (6)(7)(8)(9) .…”

“…What resilience is, with respect to health systems in relationship to the current pandemic, requires further examination. Resilience of healthcare systems has been the subject of increasing discussion in recent years, (6)(7)(8) with recognition of the need to build resilience in health systems, teams, and personal resilience in healthcare workers, and to enhance understanding of what this means in practice (10)(11)(12)(13) .…”

Differences in Coping Strategies and Help-Seeking Behaviours among Australian Junior and Senior Doctors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The full study methodology has been published [6]. In summary, a nationwide, voluntary, anonymous, online survey was conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020, concurrent with the Australian second wave of the pandemic which occurred primarily in Melbourne, Victoria [28].…”

“…Workplace stressors and mental health problems are recognised issues for hospital doctors [1][2][3][4][5]. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) pandemic and associated public health restrictions have compounded these issues, resulting in significant workplace, social and financial disruption, moral distress, and mental health symptoms for frontline healthcare workers in Australia and internationally [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Adaptation to repeated and sometimes sudden changes in workload, work roles, PPE and visitor guidelines, and to alternative delivery models such as telehealth, have been required, often with inadequate communication or support from the workplace [7].…”

“…The Australian COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers Study is an initiative led by frontline clinicians in partnership with academics to investigate the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian healthcare workers and to quantify the prevalence and severity of workplace, social, and financial disruptions during it [6]. Previous findings from this study identified that, despite a high burden of symptoms, healthcare workers utilised a range of coping strategies largely influenced by demographic factors, with very few of them seeking professional support [10].…”