How COVID-19 Affected Healthcare Workers in the Hospital Locked Down due to Early COVID-19 Cases in Korea

Abstract

Background The healthcare workers (HCWs) were exposed to never-experienced psychological distress during the early stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of HCWs during the hospital lockdown period due to mass healthcare-associated infection during the early spread of COVID-19. Methods A real-time online survey was conducted between April 14–18, 2020 among HCWs who worked at the university hospital where COVID-19 was confirmed in a patient, and the hospital was shut down for 3 weeks. Along with demographic variables and work-related information, psychological distress was measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey scale, and the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-9. Results The HCWs working in the cohort ward and those who have experienced social discrimination had significantly higher level of depression (PHQ-9 score; 5.24 ± 4.48 vs. 4.15 ± 4.38; P < 0.01 and 5.89 ± 4.78 vs. 3.25 ± 3.77; P < 0.001, respectively) and anxiety (GAD-7 score; 3.69 ± 3.68 vs. 2.87 ± 3.73; P < 0.05 and 4.20 ± 4.22 vs. 2.17 ± 3.06; P < 0.001, respectively) compared to other HCWs. Worries regarding the peer relationship and the skepticism about job were associated with depression (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–1.79; P < 0.05 and OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.31–2.17; P < 0.001, respectively) and anxiety (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.21–2.49; P < 0.01 and OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.09–2.17; P < 0.05, respectively), while fear of infection or worsening of health was not. Path analysis showed that work-related stress associated with the viral epidemic rather than anxiety about the viral epidemic mainly contributed to depression. Conclusion The present observational study indicates that mental health problems of HCWs exposed to COVID-19 are associated with distress in work and social relationship. Early intervention programs focusing on these factors are necessary.

Assessment of Anxiety, Depression, Work-Related Stress, and Burnout in Health Care Workers (HCWs) Affected by COVID-19: Results of a Case–Control Study in Italy

“…These authors found a path analysis model clearly showing that the predictors of depression in healthcare workers during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic are work-related stress and generalized anxiety. Moreover, burnout, considered a condition characterized by feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy can be included in the path between stress and depression [ 23 ].…”

Complications of Nasopharyngeal Swabs and Safe Procedures for COVID-19 Testing Based on Anatomical Knowledge

“…However, numerous complications, from minor to even fatal ones, have been repetitively reported in the media 13 14 and literatures 3 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 although complications required further medical evaluation were rarely happened ranging from 0.0012% 24 to 0.026%. 20 In addition, excessive quarantine burden and stressful condition of the COVID-19 pandemic 37 38 occasionally causes uncomfortable testing by the examiner who may not fully understand the nasopharyngeal anatomy or clinically cautious events related to nasopharyngeal swabs. 11 39 In this study, a literature review of adverse events related to nasopharyngeal COVID-19 testing was performed to raise attention about rare but existing risks.…”

Difficulties of healthcare workers encountered under cohort isolation in a psychiatric hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

“…also reported HCWs isolated as a cohort in the locked downed hospital in South Korea experienced higher depression and anxiety. ( H.A. Lee et al., 2021 ) A large cross-sectional survey which investigated mental health impact of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic on Spanish HCWs reported that having quarantined or isolated are risk factors for mental disorders.…”