Influence of the Cumulative Incidence of COVID-19 Cases on the Mental Health of the Spanish Out-of-Hospital Professionals

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the psychological affectation of health professionals (HPs) of Spanish Emergency Medical Services (EMSs) according to the cumulative incidence (CI) of COVID-19 cases in the regions in which they worked. A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed, including all HPs working in any EMS of the Spanish geography between 1 February 2021 and 30 April 2021. Their level of stress, anxiety and depression (DASS-21) and the perception of self-efficacy (G-SES) were the study's main results. A 2-factor analysis of covariance was used to determine if the CI regions of COVID-19 cases determined the psychological impact on each of the studied variables. A total of 1710 HPs were included. A third presented psychological impairment classified as severe. The interaction of CI regions with the studied variables did not influence their levels of stress, anxiety, depression or self-efficacy. Women, younger HPs or those with less EMS work experience, emergency medical technicians (EMT), workers who had to modify their working conditions or those who lived with minors or dependents suffered a greater impact from the COVID-19 pandemic in certain regions. These HPs have shown high levels of stress, anxiety, depression and medium levels of self-efficacy, with similar data in the different geographical areas. Psychological support is essential to mitigate their suffering and teach them to react to adverse events.

Investigation of Psychological Stress and Sleep Quality of Emergency Medical Technicians in Taiwan Fire Department during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In the same year, Raúl Soto-Cámara et al surveyed professionals in the emergency medical system in Spain. They indicated that emergency medical technicians were more psychologically stressed than other professionals [3]. In an Iranian study, ethnic groups similar to those in Taiwan suggested that psychological stress was significantly associated with working hours per week and living away from family; sleep quality was not mentioned as a factor.…”

“…In the same year, Raúl Soto-Cámara et al surveyed professionals in the emergency medical system in Spain. They indicated that emergency medical technicians were more psychologically stressed than other professionals [3]. In an Iranian…”

“…Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), also known as severe respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began to ravage the world in 2019; the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the epidemic a public health emergency. The pandemic started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 [1] and has severely damaged global economic, social, and health development [2,3]. The pandemic has seen high mortality and contagion rates, with health and psychological impacts on frontline emergency medical service system practitioners [4,5].…”

“…People must wear masks in accordance with regulations, temperature measurement, disinfection, crowd control, total volume control, moving line planning and other measures. 3. In principle, gatherings of more than 500 people outdoors and more than 100 people indoors are prohibited.…”

A Nomogram-Based Study: A Way Forward to Predict the Anxiety Status in Medical Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“… 3 Long work hours, strict instructions and safety procedures, a constant need for focus and alertness, restricted social connection, and participation in tasks for which they may not be trained are all examples of exceptionally high job-related stressors. 4 , 5 These stressors have been linked to medical personnel’s emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have become a source of anxiety. 6 , 7 According to recent research, medical professionals may be experiencing the highest levels of anxiety 8 because they are often responsible for treating COVID-19 patients and are more psychologically stressed.…”