scholarly journals Factors associated with mental health outcomes across healthcare settings in Oman during COVID-19: frontline versus non-frontline healthcare workers

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e042030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muna Alshekaili ◽  
Walid Hassan ◽  
Nazik Al Said ◽  
Fatima Al Sulaimani ◽  
Sathish Kumar Jayapal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess and compare demographic and psychological factors and sleep status of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) in relation to non-frontline HCWs.Design, settings, participants and outcomesThis cross-sectional study was conducted from 8 April 2020 to 17 April 2020 using an online survey across varied healthcare settings in Oman accruing 1139 HCWs.The primary and secondary outcomes were mental health status and sociodemographic data, respectively. Mental health status was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and insomnia was evaluated by the Insomnia Severity Index. Samples were categorised into the frontline and non-frontline groups. χ2 and t-tests were used to compare groups by demographic data. The Mantel-Haenszel OR was used to compare groups by mental health outcomes adjusted by all sociodemographic factors.ResultsThis study included 1139 HCWs working in Oman. While working during the pandemic period, a total of 368 (32.3%), 388 (34.1%), 271 (23.8%) and 211 (18.5%) respondents were reported to have depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia, respectively. HCWs in the frontline group were 1.5 times more likely to report anxiety (OR=1.557, p=0.004), stress (OR=1.506, p=0.016) and insomnia (OR=1.586, p=0.013) as compared with those in the non-frontline group. No significant differences in depression status were found between the frontline and non-frontline groups (p=0.201).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the differential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on different grades of HCWs. This study suggests that frontline HCWs are disproportionally affected compared to non-frontline HCWs, with managing sleep–wake cycles and anxiety symptoms being highly endorsed among frontline HCWs. As psychosocial interventions are likely to be constrained owing to the pandemic, mental healthcare must first be directed to frontline HCWs.

scholarly journals Occupational Disruptions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Association with Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9263
Author(s):  
Natasha Smallwood ◽  
Amy Pascoe ◽  
Leila Karimi ◽  
Marie Bismark ◽  
Karen Willis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Background: The COVID-19 crisis has caused prolonged and extreme demands on healthcare services. This study investigates the types and prevalence of occupational disruptions, and associated symptoms of mental illness, among Australian frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A national cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020. Frontline healthcare workers were invited to participate via dissemination from major health organisations, professional associations or colleges, universities, government contacts, and national media. Data were collected on demographics, home and work situations, and validated scales of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and burnout. Results: Complete responses were received from 7846 healthcare workers (82.4%). Most respondents were female (80.9%) and resided in the Australian state of Victoria (85.2%). Changes to working conditions were common, with 48.5% reporting altered paid or unpaid hours, and many redeployed (16.8%) or changing work roles (27.3%). Nearly a third (30.8%) had experienced a reduction in household income during the pandemic. Symptoms of mental illness were common, being present in 62.1% of participants. Many respondents felt well supported by their workplaces (68.3%) and believed that workplace communication was timely and useful (74.4%). Participants who felt well supported by their organisation had approximately half the risk of experiencing moderate to severe anxiety, depression, burnout, and PTSD. Half (50.4%) of respondents indicated a need for additional training in using personal protective equipment and/or caring for patients with COVID-19. Conclusions: Occupational disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic occurred commonly in health organisations and were associated with worse mental health outcomes in the Australian health workforce. Feeling well supported was associated with significantly fewer adverse mental health outcomes. Crisis preparedness focusing on the provision of timely and useful communication and support is essential in current and future crises.

scholarly journals Does service timing matter for psychological outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation? Insights from the National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Sumner ◽  
Jan R Böhnke ◽  
Patrick Doherty
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
National Audit

Background The presence of mental health conditions in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients such as anxiety and depression can lead to reduced programme adherence, increased mortality and increased re-occurrence of cardiovascular events undermining the aims and benefit of CR. Earlier research has identified a relationship between delayed commencement of CR and poorer physical activity outcomes. This study wished to explore whether a similar relationship between CR wait time and mental health outcomes can be found and to what degree participation in CR varies by mental health status. Methods Data from the UK National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation, a dataset that captures information on routine CR practice and patient outcomes, was extracted between 2012 and 2016. Logistic and multinomial regression models were used to explore the relationship between timing of CR and mental health outcomes measured on the hospital anxiety and depression scale. Results The results of this study showed participation in CR varied by mental health status, particularly in relation to completion of CR, with a higher proportion of non-completers with symptoms of anxiety (5% higher) and symptoms of depression (8% higher). Regression analyses also revealed that delays to CR commencement significantly impact mental health outcomes post-CR. Conclusion In these analyses CR wait time has been shown to predict the outcome of anxiety and depression status to the extent that delays in starting CR are detrimental. Programmes falling outside the 4-week window for commencement of CR following referral must strive to reduce wait times to avoid negative impacts to patient outcome.

scholarly journals The Health Outcome Assessment of Healthcare Workers Engaged in SARS-CoV2 Pandemic Services: A Survey-Based Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 724-728
Author(s):  
Suraiya Khanam Ansari ◽  
Prashant Tripathi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
World Health ◽  
Care Workers

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely hit India and its economy recently and is associated with the increasing uncertainty among the mental health status of health care workers. When the World Health Organization focus has mostly on testing and finding a vaccine, healthcare workers are passing with a myriad of mental health problems. The present study decided to conduct an online survey for assessing health status. Aims and Objective: To assess the health of healthcare workers engaged in SARS-CoV-2 duties. Methods: From 4th July 2020 to 4th October 2020 an online Google Form, a survey was conducted among healthcare workers. The survey collected data on socio-demographic and health variables especially during COVID-19 duties in the form of questionnaires. Results: There were a total of 196 responses from different provinces of India collected. The mean age of the respondents was around 41 years with 62.3% males and 37.7% females. The study showed that most HCWs showed a change in the sleeping habit. Conclusions: The present study concluded that there is a need for holistic interventions among health care workers and more systematic and longitudinal evaluations of mental health status further needed. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Health; Health care workers; COVID-19; Mental Health; Stress.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Asian American college students: Discrimination, fear, and mental health

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 121-131
Author(s):  
Angela Chia-Chen Chen, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC ◽  
SeungYong Han, PhD ◽  
Wei Li, PhD ◽  
Karen J. Leong, PhD ◽  
Lihong Ou, MSN, RN
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Relative Risk ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
Asian American ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Perceived Racial Discrimination

Introduction: Our research addressed double victimization among Asian Americans by COVID-19 and anti-Asian racial discrimination during the pandemic. Guided by the Vulnerable Populations framework that argues that health status reflects the dynamic interplay between resource availability and relative risk, we investigated time-sensitive questions that explored relative risk (perceived racial discrimination, fear of COVID-19), resources (COVID-19 prevention knowledge, resilience), and mental health status (post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression) in Asian American undergraduate and graduate students during the pandemic.Methods: A mixed-methods research was conducted to examine the relationships among the relative risk, resources, and mental health outcomes in this population. We adapted questions from valid and reliable measures to assess key variables. Descriptive and regression analyses along with content analysis were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data.Results: Our sample included 74 Asian American students (AA students) who participated in the online survey (53 complete cases were included in the statistical analysis) and an additional 10 AA students who were interviewed via Zoom. The results of hierarchical regression models confirmed a positive association between fear of COVID-19 and both mental health outcomes (PTSD and depression), and a negative association between COVID-19 prevention knowledge and mental health outcomes. Perceived racial discrimination was significantly and positively associated with PTSD and depression while controlling for sociodemographic variables. However, its association with outcomes diminished when fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 prevention knowledge were added to the models. Our interview results supported the survey findings with more nuanced details not revealed in the survey.Conclusion: The findings of this research will help public health officials and universities identify practices useful for promoting culturally congruent safety and protection in response to pandemics and other health emergencies.

On the front lines: A qualitative study understanding mental health outcomes for healthcare workers and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adjunct Professor ◽  
Frances Furio
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
The World ◽  
New Challenges

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on various sectors and industries around the world. Globally, healthcare workers and first responders have found themselves faced with unprecedented challenges, both within and outside of the workplace. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research was to identify and explore the complex mental health outcomes resulting from the various new challenges experienced by healthcare workers and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted in an effort to understand the mental health outcomes resulting from the various challenges and barriers faced while working during the pandemic. A total of 31 healthcare workers and first responders were interviewed. RESULTS The mental health outcomes described were not isolated to increased stress and anxiety; participants also described complex experiences, perspectives, and feelings related to guilt, stoicism, helplessness, fear, and anger. This paper adds to the current body of literature by further exploring the personal experiences and perspectives of healthcare workers and first responders related to these complex mental health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Continued exploration, understanding, and awareness is needed in order to continue working towards addressing these outcomes and offering potential solutions.

scholarly journals Racial and Gender Discrimination Predict Mental Health Outcomes among Healthcare Workers Beyond Pandemic-Related Stressors: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9235
Author(s):  
Rachel Hennein ◽  
Jessica Bonumwezi ◽  
Max Jordan Nguemeni Tiako ◽  
Petty Tineo ◽  
Sarah Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
And Gender

Racial and gender discrimination are risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes in the general population; however, the effects of discrimination on the mental health of healthcare workers needs to be further explored, especially in relation to competing stressors. Thus, we administered a survey to healthcare workers to investigate the associations between perceived racial and gender discrimination and symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and burnout during a period of substantial stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a national racial reckoning. We used multivariable linear regression models, which controlled for demographics and pandemic-related stressors. Of the 997 participants (Mean Age = 38.22 years, SD = 11.77), 688 (69.01%) were White, 148 (14.84%) Asian, 86 (8.63%) Black, 73 (7.32%) Latinx, and 21 (2.11%) identified as another race. In multivariable models, racial discrimination predicted symptoms of depression (B = 0.04; SE: 0.02; p = .009), anxiety (B = 0.05; SE: 0.02; p = .004), and posttraumatic stress (B = 0.01; SE: 0.01; p = .006) and gender discrimination predicted posttraumatic stress (B = 0.11; SE: 0.05; p = .013) and burnout (B = 0.24; SE: 0.07; p = .001). Discrimination had indirect effects on mental health outcomes via inadequate social support. Hospital-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives are warranted to mitigate the adverse mental health effects of discrimination.

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