Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Health Care Personnel in Norwegian ICUs during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic, a Prospective, Observational Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has induced demanding work situations in intensive care units (ICU). The objective of our study was to survey psychological reactions, the disturbance of social life, work effort, and support in ICU nurses, physicians, and leaders. Methods: From May to July 2020, this cross-sectional study included 484 ICU professionals from 27 hospitals throughout Norway. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured on Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 (HSCL-10). Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were measured on the PCL-5. Results: The study population were highly educated and experienced professionals, well prepared for working with COVID-ICU patients. However, 53% felt socially isolated and 67% reported a fear of infecting others. Probable cases of anxiety and depression were found in 12.5% of the registered nurses, 11.6% of the physicians, and 4.1% of the leaders. Younger age and <5 years previous work experiences were predictors for high HSCL-10 scores. Reported symptom-defined PTSD for nurses 7.1%; the leaders, 4.1%; and 2.3% of physicians. Conclusions: ICU health care professionals experienced talking with colleagues as the most helpful source of support. The COVID-ICU leaders reported a significantly higher mean score than physicians and nurses in terms of pushing themselves toward producing high work effort.

Prevalence of psychological distress in nurses, physicians and leaders working in intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national one-year follow-up study

“…The inclusion criteria were having a Norwegian social security number, working in an ICU with COVID-19 patients and being either a nurse, physician or leader. The subgroups of the professions are described in the two publications of baseline data 8 9. The leaders included were the managers of the ICUs, with personnel responsibility for the nurses and physicians.…”

“…The questionnaires have been described in previous publications 8 9. The present paper is based on 51 variables (online supplemental file 1): demographics from baseline, including self-reported previous symptoms of anxiety/depression (9 items).…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first national, longitudinal cohort study of healthcare professionals working in COVID ICUs. We have previously published results from the baseline national survey, performed in spring 2020, launched 10 weeks after the first confirmed case in Norway 8 9. The healthcare professionals reported low levels of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress compared with the first reports from China and Italy 4 5…”

Critical incidents and post-traumatic stress symptoms among experienced registered nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

“…On the frontline of health care services during the pandemic, nurses were the largest group (59 %) of health care providers, and they are essential to the delivery of health care and prevention of illness ( WHO, 2020 ). Registered nurses’ (RNs’) working conditions during the pandemic caused increased illness, such as post-traumatic stress symptoms ( Carmassi et al, 2020 ; Galanis et al, 2021 ; Johnson et al, 2020 ; Stafseth et al, 2022 ). In developing interventions to prevent health issues and increased intention to leave among RNs, there is a need for more knowledge about critical incidents (distressing clinical events) and other working conditions that nurses were exposed to during the pandemic throughout the health care system, as well as the effects these critical incidents had on RNs’ health.…”

Correction: Stafseth et al. Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Health Care Personnel in Norwegian ICUs during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic, a Prospective, Observational Cross-Sectional Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 7010

“…In the original publication [ 1 ], there was a mistake in Table 2 . Symptoms of anxiety and depression in health care professionals using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 (HSCL-10) during the past week and symptom-defined PTSD (PCL-5) during the past month (N = 484) as published.…”