Job Satisfaction and Mental Health of Health Professionals in Croatia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Antičević

et al. 2022

IJERPH

Background: The aim of this study is to determine the main variables associated with nurses’ sickness absence (SA) and to improve the prediction of SA based on pandemic-related experiences. The second aim is to examine the differences between COVID-19 (CoV) and non-COVID-19 (non-CoV) nurses in levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, personality traits, coping strategies and professional stressors experienced. Methods: This historical prospective study enrolled 1305 nurses from the University Hospital of Split, Croatia. A total of 380 subjects participated in the study, 163 non-CoV and 217 CoV subjects. Nurses’ pandemic-related experience questionnaires, Big Five Inventory (BFI), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) and Occupational Stress Questionnaire, were used for evaluation. Results: Non-CoV nurses felt more fear of infection, were more socially distanced, had more PTSD symptoms and neuroticism and felt more stress due to public criticism and job requirements compared to CoV nurses; p < 0.001. The groups of SA users and non-SA users could be distinguished based on predictor variables in CoV and non-CoV nurses, with a correct classification of 84.8% vs. 79.1%. Conclusions: It was possible to predict the probability of using SA among nurses due to pandemic professional experience, personality traits and coping strategies.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Difference in Pandemic-Related Experiences and Factors Associated with Sickness Absence among Nurses Working in COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Departments

Antičević

et al. 2022

IJERPH

“…Many healthcare workers were faced with a change in their primary workplace, as well as a change in the execution of work procedures and the adoption of new protocols and procedures when performing work tasks. It was necessary for some employees to be assigned to newly formed departments and workplaces that involved the direct care and treatment of COVID-19-positive patients [ 4 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unlike the general population, healthcare workers employed in the hospital system are continuously exposed to a high risk of infection [ 3 ]. Due to the speed with which the virus spread, the functioning of health systems around the world was significantly changed, which additionally caused unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems and healthcare workers [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Healthcare workers had to quickly adopt new knowledge in order to provide effective health care to sick patients with the mandatory use of protective equipment such as masks, goggles, and protective suits [ 4 , 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to the speed with which the virus spread, the functioning of health systems around the world was significantly changed, which additionally caused unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems and healthcare workers [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Healthcare workers had to quickly adopt new knowledge in order to provide effective health care to sick patients with the mandatory use of protective equipment such as masks, goggles, and protective suits [ 4 , 6 ]. The combination of a lack of healthcare workers, the workload, ethical decisions about the distribution of resources, and the risk of disease transmission impairs the physical and mental health of all healthcare workers [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous relevant studies highlight the presence of symptoms of impaired mental health in health workers in general, including nurses [ 8 ]. The already demanding circumstances were made even more difficult due to the redistribution of work and a change in the workplace, i.e., transitioning to work within a COVID-19 department [ 4 ], which also impairs the mental health of employees [ 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Relationship between Transition Shock, Professional Stressors, and Intent to Leave the Nursing Profession during the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2023

Background and Objectives: Moving nurses to a COVID-19 department may cause the phenomenon of transition shock, which occurs when already employed nurses change jobs. A set of confusing and uncertain feelings arise due to the unfamiliar work environment, which may lead to their intention to leave the nursing profession. The aim of this study was to examine transition shock and the contribution of both the respondents’ characteristics and the presence of stressors to the occurrence of transition shock in nurses assigned to work in COVID-19 departments. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 120 nurses employed in COVID-19 departments was conducted. Several linear regression models were used to assess the association between transition shock, personal and professional COVID-19 stressors, and the intention to leave the nursing profession. Results: Nurses who intended to leave the profession showed higher transition shock and higher personal and professional stressors (p < 0.001). Female nurses had lower transition shock (β = −0.16; p = 0.036) and higher personal COVID-19 stressors (β = 0.27; p < 0.001). University education contributes to the lowering of nurses’ transition shock (β = −0.16; p = 0.038). Nurses who did not intend to leave the nursing profession had lower personal COVID-19 stressors (β = −0.15; p = 0.044). Transition shock was associated with personal COVID-19 stressors (β = 0.39; p < 0.001) and professional COVID-19 stressors (β = 0.29; p < 0.001), and vice versa. Conclusions: The phenomenon of transition shock was present after nurses transitioned to working in COVID-19 departments. Transition shock may cause more nurses to leave the profession, which may have a strong impact on the health system in many countries that are already facing a shortage of nurses. Additional education on and preparation for adapting to new working conditions with psychological support could have an influence by lowering the level of nurses’ transition shock.

Sestrin. glas. (Online)

Depresija, anksioznost i stres kod zdravstvenih djelatnika u vrijeme pandemije COVID-19

Marjanović,

Lumanović,

Bavrka

et al. 2023

Introduction: The pandemic of the disease COVID-19 has a tremendous emotional impact on both patients and health workers who are in charge of assisting the infected. The heavy burden on them is further increased by the high and constant risk of exposure to infection and death and separation from their families. The newly created excessive professional demands that the environment around us sets, which cannot be adequately responded to, are the drivers, or stressors, that form the basis for depression and anxiety.Methods: A questionnaire survey (DASS-21) was conducted on 100 employees of the Croatian Hospital “Dr. fra Mato Nikolić” Nova Bila in the period from June to October 2022. The respondents were doctors and nurses who work in intensive care units, the internal department, and the surgery department.Results: All respondents had a certain level of stress (40% extremely severe stress), anxiety (65% extremely severe anxiety), and depression (46% extremely severe depression). There is a significant correlation between stress, depression, and anxiety with concern for the financial situation considering the consequences and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is also a correlation with the claim of concern for one's own mental health, but also with the fear of infection or reinfection with the virus.Conclusion: Healthcare workers who work with patients with COVID-19 are significantly exposed to stress, anxiety, and depression. It is necessary to provide healthcare workers with psychophysical support, especially in crises such as the pandemic caused by COVID-19.