Perception of the 2020 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic among medical professionals in Germany: results from a nationwide online survey

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented global challenge and implicates a wide range of burden on medical professionals. Here, we evaluated the perception of the COVID-19 pandemic among medical professionals in Germany. Methods: A total of n = 2827 medical professionals participated in an online survey between 27 March and 11 April. Results: While most participants stated that Germany was well prepared and rated the measures taken by their employer as positive, subgroup analyses revealed decisive differences. The preventive measures were rated significantly worse by nurses compared to doctors (p < 0.001) and by participants from ambulatory healthcare centres compared to participants from maximum-care hospitals (p < 0.001). Importantly, shortage of protective medical equipment was reported more commonly in the ambulatory sector (p < 0.001) and in East German federal states (p = 0.004). Moreover, the majority of health care professionals (72.4%) reported significant restrictions of daily work routine. Finally, over 60% of medical professionals had concerns regarding their own health, which were more pronounced among female participants (p = 0.024). Conclusion: This survey may indicate starting points on how medical professionals could be supported in carrying out their important activities during the ongoing and future healthcare challenges.

Strategic Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Serology Testing in a Low Prevalence Setting: The COVID-19 Contact (CoCo) Study in Healthcare Professionals

“…However, other countries, such as Germany, were in the fortunate position of successfully flattening the exponential spread of the virus and were able to provide hospitals and care givers with appropriate PPE in a relatively timely fashion. In spite of this, a recent national survey collecting data during the time period covered by our study reported that over 60% of German HCP, particularly women, had concerns regarding their own health while working during the current pandemic [28]. This observation is in line with our finding on self-perceived risks of having contracted SARS-CoV-2, particularly in female participants.…”

Strategic anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology testing in a low prevalence pandemic: The COVID-19 Contact (CoCo) Study in health care professionals

“…However, other countries, such as Germany, were in the fortunate position of successfully flattening the exponential spread of the virus and were able to provide hospitals and care givers with appropriate PPE in a relatively timely fashion. In spite of this, a recent national survey collecting data during the time period covered by our study reported that over 60% of German HCP, particularly women, had concerns regarding their own health while working during the current pandemic 23 . This observation is in line with our finding on self-perceived risks of having contracted SARS-CoV-2, particularly in female participants.…”

“We All Really Need to just Take a Breath”: Composite Narratives of Hospital Doctors’ Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Some were drawn to coping mechanisms that negatively affected their physical health, like alcohol and overeating, as has been documented among doctors during COVID-19 lockdowns [ 53 ]. Others were drawn to use work as a coping mechanism and undertake additional work, like Sean and Bridget, which may cause or reinforce poor work–life balance [ 15 ] which may damage doctors’ longer-term well-being and accelerate burnout [ 6 ]. While workplace well-being supports are largely focused on supporting doctors in their physical, social and emotional experiences in the workplace, they also need to consider doctors’ total life space, and help doctors acknowledge and address how isolation or family pressures outside the workplace might be affecting them.…”

“…As the pandemic evolved and the PPE supply chain was strengthened, threats to mental well-being came into focus for health workers; anxieties about safety of self, patients and family, the moral injury of rationing limited care resources, and isolation due to new protocols like social distancing at work and tele-working [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. While some doctors worked on COVID-19 acute care, doctors working in non-acute care also suffered anxiety, fear and guilt over changes to their normal patient care practices, as routine medical care was reduced or shut down to focus resources on COVID-19 [ 5 , 6 ]. Doctors also suffered the same physical and social restrictions and worries about loved ones as the general public, as a result of stay-at-home orders and lockdowns imposed on whole populations [ 7 , 8 ].…”