Psychological Impact of the Very Early Beginning of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Healthcare Workers: A Bayesian Study on the Italian and Swiss Perspectives

Abstract

BackgroundWe investigated the COVID19-related psychological impact on healthcare workers in Italy and in Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland, three weeks after its outbreak. All professional groups of public hospitals in Italy and Switzerland were asked to complete a 38 questions online survey investigating demographic, marital and working status, presence of stress symptoms and need for psychological support.ResultsWithin 38 h a total of 3,038 responses were collected. The subgroup analysis identified specific categories at risk according to age, type of work and region of origin. Critical care workers, in particular females, reported an increased number of working hours, decline in confidence in the future, presence of stress symptoms and need for psychological support. Respondents reporting stress symptoms and those with children declared a higher need for psychological support.ConclusionsThe large number of participants in such a short time indicates for a high interest on topic among health-care workers. The COVID19 outbreak has been experienced as a repeated trauma for many health-care professionals, especially among female nurses' categories. Early evidence of the need of implementating short and long-term measures to mitigate impact of the emotional burden of COVID-19 pandemic are still relevant.

Neuropsychological Symptoms and Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Children: A Survey in a Pediatric Population in the Abruzzo Region, Italy

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The other side of COVID-19: A cross-sectional study on mental health in a sample of Italian nurses during the second wave

“…Psychological sequelae secondary to the outbreak of an epidemic have already been reported for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012 and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, in which symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disorders, social isolation, work-related stress, burnout, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) were reported in HCWs (4-7). In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific literature shows that HCWs, especially nurses and women who worked in the front line and in emergency areas, experienced more severe mental health symptoms than others (3). According to a meta-review of systematic reviews, GAD and PTSD were the most prevalent COVID-19 pandemic-related mental health conditions affecting HCWs, especially nurses (8).…”

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“…As nurses were required to provide continuous services to patients, which was accompanied by a high risk of infection in addition to high workload demands and irregular working hours, they were more likely to be psychologically overwhelmed (2). During early phases of COVID-19 outbreak, an increased number of working hours, presence of stress symptoms, decline in confidence in the future, and need for psychological support were reported in particular female nurses' categories among critical care workers (3). According to several systematic reviews and metaanalyses (4)(5)(6), stress, anxiety, depression, job burnout, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress syndrome were widespread among healthcare workers.…”