scholarly journals Stressors, Manifestations and Course of COVID-19 Related Distress Among Nurses and Midwives in Tasmania

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M. Marsden ◽  
Julie M. Porter ◽  
IK. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
Clear Communication ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Nurses And Midwives ◽  
At Home

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe deleterious effects relating to the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers has now been widely established. Understanding how COVID-19 affects their work and life is complex and multidimensional. This longitudinal study describes the critical stressors and how they manifest within both the work and larger social environment for nurses and midwives in Tasmania, Australia.MethodsThis longitudinal, descriptive survey explores the trajectory of the psychological health of Tasmanian public sector nurses and midwives during the COIVD-19 pandemic. The survey was distributed at 3 timepoints over a 12-month period and consisted of a battery of psychological tests which included the Patient Health Questionnaire, General Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia Severity Index, and the Impact of Events Scale-Revised, together with free text comments.AnalysisThe associations between outcome and predictor variables were assessed using mixed effects linear regression and linear mixed model analyses. Free text comments were themed.ResultsHigh levels of stress and mental exhaustion were attributed to threatened workplace team culture; compromised quality of patient care; the impact on family, home, financial and economic domains; lack of clear communication; issues surrounding personal protective equipment; and female gender. Study data show younger nurses and midwives suffered higher levels of stress and mental exhaustion than older.ConclusionThis study highlights the need for stable and functional relationships at home and at work for nurses and midwives.Factors which will help preserve the mental health of nurses and midwives include strong workplace culture with ongoing processes to monitor organisational burnout; building resilience, particularly among younger nurses and midwives; protection of healthcare worker safety; clear communication processes and supporting stable and functional relationships at home. The health service has an imperative to ensure optimum service delivery by safeguarding staff, despite the inevitable health stress imposed by the nature of the work.

scholarly journals The Influence of Human–Animal Interactions on Mental and Physical Health during the First COVID-19 Lockdown Phase in the U.K.: A Qualitative Exploration

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Shoesmith ◽  
Lion Shahab ◽  
Dimitra Kale ◽  
Daniel S. Mills ◽  
Catherine Reeve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Human Animal Interaction ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents an opportunity to explore the role of animals as sources of emotional and physical support during a period when most of the population is experiencing social and environmental challenges. We investigated how companion animal owners perceived the influence of human–animal interaction on their physical and mental health during the first COVID-19 lockdown phase in the U.K., and what concerns they had regarding their animals at this time. We also explored the impact of participants’ interaction with non-companion animals during this phase. A cross-sectional online survey of U.K. residents aged over 18 was conducted between April and June 2020. The final item of the survey invited open-ended free-text responses, allowing participants to describe any experiences and/or perceptions of their human–animal relationships during the COVID-19 lockdown phase. A qualitative thematic analysis of responses was undertaken. Four main themes related to the following aspects of human–animal interactions during the COVID-19 lockdown phase were identified: the positive impact of animal ownership during the COVID-19 lockdown (e.g., amelioration of wellbeing and mental health), concerns relating to animal ownership during the COVID-19 lockdown (e.g., concerns over animals carrying the COVID-19 virus), grief and loss of an animal during the COVID-19 lockdown and the impact of engaging with non-companion animals during the COVID-19 lockdown. The findings complement and extend previous insights into the impact of human–animal interaction with both companion and non-companion animals. They also highlight the challenges of caring for an animal during the lockdown phase and indicate the need to consider the development of further targeted support strategies, such as “day care” for the companion animals of key workers in this context.

scholarly journals Experiences of nurses caring for respiratory patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: an online survey study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000987
Author(s):  
Nicola J Roberts ◽  
Carol A Kelly ◽  
Kate A Lippiett ◽  
Emma Ray ◽  
Lindsay Welch
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
British Thoracic Society ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Free Text ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundNurses have been at the forefront of the pandemic response, involved in extensive coordination of services, screening, vaccination and front-line work in respiratory, emergency and intensive care environments. The nature of this work is often intense and stress-provoking with an inevitable psychological impact on nurses and all healthcare workers. This study focused on nurses working in respiratory areas with the aim of identifying and characterising the self-reported issues that exacerbated or alleviated their concerns during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn online survey was developed consisting of 90 questions using a mixture of open-ended and closed questions. Participant demographic data were also collected (age, gender, ethnicity, number of years qualified, details of long-term health conditions, geographical location, nursing background/role and home life). The online survey was disseminated via social media and professional respiratory societies (British Thoracic Society, Primary Care Respiratory Society, Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists) over a 3-week period in May 2020 and the survey closed on 1 June 2020.ResultsThe study highlights the experiences of nurses caring for respiratory patients during the first wave of the pandemic in early 2020. Concerns were expressed over the working environment, the supply and availability of adequate protective personal equipment, the quality of care individuals were able to deliver, and the impact on mental health to nurses and their families. A high number provided free-text comments around their worries and concerns about the impact on their household; these included bringing the virus home, the effect on family members worrying about them, mental health and the impact of changing working patterns, and managing with children. Although both formal and informal support were available, there were inconsistencies in provision, highlighting the importance of nursing leadership and management in ensuring equity of access to services.ConclusionsSupport for staff is essential both throughout the pandemic and afterwards, and it is important that preparation of individuals regarding building resilience is recognised. It is also clear that psychological support and services for nurses and the wider healthcare team need to be available and quickly convened in the event of similar major incidents, either global or local.

scholarly journals The power of reflective practice: evaluating the impact of a psychoeducation and reflective practice group for surgical nursing staff and health care assistants in a trauma centre

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S191-S191
Author(s):  
R Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Nursing Staff ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Practice Group ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Southmead Hospital

AimsTo offer a psychoeducation and reflective practice group for nursing staff (NS) and health care assistants (HCAs) working on a Trauma and Orthopaedics Ward in Southmead Hospital, Bristol. To explore the staff experience of having a reflective space, and how this impacted on their attitudes and knowledge and confidence in psychiatric presentations.BackgroundReflective practice can raise the quality and consistency of nursing care, but it is not part of everyday culture and practice. Southmead Hospital is a trauma centre and the surgical NS and HCAs care for multiple patients following self-harm or suicide attempts. They report at times not having the mental health knowledge and confidence to appropriately manage patients on the ward and are at high risk of occupational stress and burnout. Our mental health liaison team (MHLT) identified this need and offered to provide a space to address these concerns and evaluate the impact of this intervention.MethodAfter liaising with the ward manager, I developed and provided a fortnightly forty-minute psychoeducation and reflective practice group for NS and HCAs on one Trauma and Orthopaedic ward in Southmead Hospital. Topics were rotated and included suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviour, mind and body link, the stress -vulnerability model and verbal aggression.The staff were asked to complete anonymous paired pre-and post-course questionnaires about their attitudes and confidence regarding mental health difficulties. This questionnaire included both quantitative components (e.g. 1–5 Likert scales) and qualitative components (free text boxes) which were analysed and coded accordingly.ResultQuantitative results showed that staff felt it was important to learn about mental health conditions and have a reflective space. Their confidence and knowledge improved in understanding and managing psychiatric presentations. Qualitative results revealed several common themes – (i) Space; staff valued a protected, structured, safe space, (ii) Relationships: staff valued sharing with colleagues and supporting each other, (iii) Sharing and learning; staff valued a space to think about patient's formulations, discuss common experiences, express their own emotions and learn from each other and (iv) Psychoeducation; the staff welcomed ideas of ways to communicate with patients and specific skills to use on the wards.ConclusionTrauma and Orthopaedic NS and HCAs perceived a range of benefits from participating in a psychoeducation and reflective practice group. Further research is required to evaluate whether reflective practice groups help to reduce staff burnout and can change the ward ethos to improve the patient experience.

scholarly journals Prevalence of and risk factors for post-intensive care syndrome: Multicenter study of patients living at home after treatment in 12 Japanese intensive care units, SMAP-HoPe study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0252167
Author(s):  
Takeshi Unoki ◽  
Hideaki Sakuramoto ◽  
Sakura Uemura ◽  
Takahiro Tsujimoto ◽  
Takako Yamaguchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Unplanned Admission ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Icu Discharge ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Post Intensive Care Syndrome ◽  
At Home

Few studies have examined the epidemiology of post-intensive care syndrome in Japan. This study investigated the mental health and quality of life of patients living at home in Japan after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. Additionally, we examined whether unplanned admission to the ICU was associated with more severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depressive symptoms. An ambidirectional cohort study was conducted at 12 ICUs in Japan. Patients who stayed in the ICU for > 3 nights and were living at home for 1 year afterward were included. One year after ICU discharge, we retrospectively screened patients and performed a mail survey on a monthly basis, including the Impact of Event Scale—Revised (IER-S), the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), and the EuroQOL—5 Dimension (EQ-5D-L) questionnaires. Patients’ characteristics, delirium and coma status, drugs used, and ICU and hospital length of stay were assessed from medical records. Descriptive statistics and multilevel linear regression modeling were used to examine our hypothesis. Among 7,030 discharged patients, 854 patients were surveyed by mail. Of these, 778 patients responded (response rate = 91.1%). The data from 754 patients were analyzed. The median IES-R score was 3 (interquartile range [IQR] = 1‒9), and the prevalence of suspected PTSD was 6.0%. The median HADS anxiety score was 4.00 (IQR = 1.17‒6.00), and the prevalence of anxiety was 16.6%. The median HADS depression score was 5 (IQR = 2‒8), and the prevalence of depression was 28.1%. EQ-5D-L scores were lower in our participants than in the sex- and age-matched Japanese population. Unplanned admission was an independent risk factor for more severe PTSD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Approximately one-third of patients in the general ICU population experienced mental health issues one year after ICU discharge. Unplanned admission was an independent predictor for more severe PTSD symptoms.

scholarly journals Declining mental health among disadvantaged Americans

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (28) ◽  
pp. 7290-7295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noreen Goldman ◽  
Dana A. Glei ◽  
Maxine Weinstein
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opioid Epidemic ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Modest Improvement ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Impact

Although there is little dispute about the impact of the US opioid epidemic on recent mortality, there is less consensus about whether trends reflect increasing despair among American adults. The issue is complicated by the absence of established scales or definitions of despair as well as a paucity of studies examining changes in psychological health, especially well-being, since the 1990s. We contribute evidence using two cross-sectional waves of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study to assess changes in measures of psychological distress and well-being. These measures capture negative emotions such as sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness, and positive emotions such as happiness, fulfillment, and life satisfaction. Most of the measures reveal increasing distress and decreasing well-being across the age span for those of low relative socioeconomic position, in contrast to little decline or modest improvement for persons of high relative position.

scholarly journals Employer costs of mental health claims and how psychologically healthy workplaces align with successful DM programs

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Coduti
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Impact

Mental health (MH) and disability management (DM) businesses and DM professionals are proficient at addressing employee physical health, yet promoting employee MH is often ignored. Individuals claiming long-term disability (LTD), 85% identified MH conditions as their primary disability (Carls et al., 2012). Mental health LTD expenses are often higher due to longer recovery and challenges in return to work (Salkever, Goldman, Purushothaman, & Shinogle, 2000). Financial burdens of depression, anxiety, and emotional disorders are among the greatest of any disease condition in the workforce (Johnston et al., 2009). Globally, a fifth to a quarter of employees go to work everyday with a mental illness (Lorenzo-Romanella, 2011). Health care research has shown the impact of mental illness on work performance, however many employers and researchers are unaware of the value quality MH care has on employees and costs (Langlieb, & Kahn, 2005). The American Psychological Association (APA) identified five categories of workplace practices that promote psychological health in employees including: employee involvement; work-life balance; employee growth and development; health and safety; and employee recognition (APA, 2014). Organizational benefits of the five elements include: improved quality, performance and productivity; reduced absenteeism, presenteeism and turnover; fewer accidents and injuries; improved ability to attract and retain quality employees; improved customer service and satisfaction; and lower healthcare costs (APA, 2014). The presenters will discuss employer costs of MH claims and how psychologically healthy workplaces align with successful DM programs, decreasing MH claims and costs. Opportunities for future research include the United States Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its impact on MH (Mechanic, 2012) through provisions that encourage employers to adopt health promotion programs (Goetzel et al., 2012) and opportunities for research including comparisons of multinational employers regarding MH costs in countries with single payer systems, and in those without (United States), (Tanner, 2013).

Window of Opportunity for New Disease Surveillance: Developing Keyword Lists for Monitoring Mental Health and Injury Through Syndromic Surveillance

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ursula Lauper ◽  
Jian-Hua Chen ◽  
Shao Lin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Syndromic Surveillance ◽  
New York State ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
York State Department ◽  
Free Text ◽  
York State ◽  
The Impact

AbstractStudies have documented the impact that hurricanes have on mental health and injury rates before, during, and after the event. Since timely tracking of these disease patterns is crucial to disaster planning, response, and recovery, syndromic surveillance keyword filters were developed by the New York State Department of Health to study the short- and long-term impacts of Hurricane Sandy. Emergency department syndromic surveillance is recognized as a valuable tool for informing public health activities during and immediately following a disaster. Data typically consist of daily visit reports from hospital emergency departments (EDs) of basic patient data and free-text chief complaints. To develop keyword lists, comparisons were made with existing CDC categories and then integrated with lists from the New York City and New Jersey health departments in a collaborative effort. Two comprehensive lists were developed, each containing multiple subcategories and over 100 keywords for both mental health and injury. The data classifiers using these keywords were used to assess impacts of Sandy on mental health and injuries in New York State. The lists will be validated by comparing the ED chief complaint keyword with the final ICD diagnosis code. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:173–178)

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Developing Nations: Emerging Mental Health Challenges and Interventions

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-423
Author(s):  
Flavia Noronha ◽  
Sanju Pant ◽  
Renjulal Yesodharan ◽  
Asha Nayak ◽  
Rochelle Dsa
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Psychosocial Effects ◽  
Economic Background ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Mental Health Challenges ◽  
Extent Of Damage ◽  
The Impact

The world is facing an unprecedented challenge of the 21st century in the form of COVID-19 outbreak. People across the culture, race, ethnicity, socio-economic background are being affected by the rippling effects of this pandemic. The aim of this narrative review is to briefly describe the impact of the pandemic on mental health, the vicious cycle of social issues and psychological health caused and aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic. We also aim to highlight certain interventions to overcome the mental health challenges posed by the pandemic. For this purpose, a thorough search of all databases was done to gather articles relevant to the objective of this narrative review. Keywords were used in combination and separately to identify the articles on the various psychosocial issues caused by the pandemic. Published articles in various databases like Scopus, Web of Science, Pubmed etc., related to psychosocial effects due to COVID-19 were searched and summarized to justify and support the objective of this paper. The coming months will reveal the extent of damage this pandemic has caused to the socio-economic and health sectors across the globe. It is crucial to recognize the psychosocial impact of this pandemic and necessitate the measures to overcome them by mobilizing the resources we have at hand.

scholarly journals COVID-19: impact on the mental health of university students

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 4891
Author(s):  
Priyanka Aswal ◽  
Parvesh Singh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
Entire Country ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Detrimental Impact

Background: Ever since the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic, education institutions in the entire country were shut down. This shutdown of universities caused the students to stay at home which caused a detrimental impact on their mental health.Methods: This survey-based study aims to decipher the impact the lockdown has caused on the mental well-being of the students. The survey was conducted through a set of online questionnaires.Results: The results of the study show that the students suffered from various psychological problems. Anxiety and stress were the most prevalent amongst mental illnesses and were reportedly increased due to uncertainty about future prospects like job and graduation.Conclusions: The study confirms that the pandemic has had a negative impact on the psychological health of the patients and has amplified stress and fear amongst them. 

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