scholarly journals Not sick enough to worry? "Influenza-like" symptoms and work-related behavior among healthcare workers and other professionals: Results of a global survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. e0232168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ermira Tartari ◽  
Katja Saris ◽  
Nikki Kenters ◽  
Kalisvar Marimuthu ◽  
Andreas Widmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Global Survey ◽  
Work Related

scholarly journals Tai Chi and workplace wellness for health care workers: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Dorelli ◽  
R A Cocchiara ◽  
G Gholamalishahi ◽  
W Longo ◽  
E Musumeci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Related Stress

Abstract Background Several studies show positive effects of new non-medical therapies known as complementary and alternative medicines, such as the discipline of tai chi. As healthcare professions are among the most vulnerable for work-related stress, this systematic review aims to investigate the relationship between tai chi practice and wellness of healthcare workers. Methods Cinahl, Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed were searched in September 2019. Full-text articles, written in English and published after 1995, were recruited if they focused on positive effects of tai chi on the psychophysical wellbeing of healthcare workers, in comparison with alternative techniques (such as yoga or traditional care). Outcomes were reduced work-related stress, better physical and psychological function, improvement in attention and/or productivity; no restrictions about study design were applied. Quality assessment was performed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale on cohort/cross-sectional studies, the Jadad scale for randomized clinical trial, AMSTAR for systematic reviews and CASE REPORT scale for case study. Results 6/111 papers were included: 3 clinical trials, 1 observational study, 1 systematic review and 1 case report. The methodological quality was of medium level. 2/3 trials found a significant increase in individuals' wellbeing and improvements in stress levels and nursing staff’s motivation in their work. In the observational study tai chi was a prevalent mind-body practice to reduce stress. The systematic review suggested that tai chi could be a useful tool to reduce stress-related chronic pain. In case report the effectiveness was observed in medical students. Conclusions This study highlights the full potential and possible benefits derived from tai chi but its application to improve health professionals' wellbeing is still limited, and the absence of a standardized intervention impacts on the methodological quality and reduces the robustness of the retrieved evidence. Key messages Tai chi can improve many pathological conditions and reduce work-related stress. Further research is needed to gain robust evidence of its efficacy for wellbeing of healthcare workers.

scholarly journals A mixed-methods study of risk factors and experiences of healthcare workers tested for the novel coronavirus in Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold Ikedichi Okpani ◽  
Stephen Barker ◽  
Karen Lockhart ◽  
Jennifer Grant ◽  
Jorge Andrés Delgado-Ron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Licensed Practical Nurses ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Community Exposure ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the contribution of occupational and non-work-related factors to the risk of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Vancouver Coastal Health, British Columbia, Canada. We also aimed to examine how HCWs described their experiences.MethodsWe conducted a matched case-control study using data from online and phone questionnaires with optional open-ended questions completed by HCWs who sought SARS-CoV-2 testing between March 2020 and March 2021. Conditional logistic regression and thematic analysis were utilized.ResultsData from 1340 HCWs were included. Free-text responses were provided by 257 respondents. Adjusting for age, gender, race, occupation, and number of weeks since pandemic was declared, community exposure to a known COVID-19 case (adjusted odds ratio -aOR: 2.45; 95% CI 1.67-3.59), and difficulty accessing personal protective equipment -PPE- (aOR: 1.84; 95% CI 1.07-3.17) were associated with higher infection odds. Care-aides/licensed practical nurses had substantially higher risk (aOR: 2.92; 95% CI 1.49-5.70) than medical staff who had the lowest risk. Direct COVID-19 patient care was not associated with elevated risk. HCWs’ experiences reflected the phase of the pandemic when they were tested. Suboptimal communication, mental stress, and situations perceived as unsafe were common sources of dissatisfaction.ConclusionsCommunity exposures and occupation were important determinants of infection among HCWs in our study. The availability of PPE and clear communication enhanced a sense of safety. Varying levels of risk between occupational groups call for wider targeting of infection prevention measures. Strategies for mitigating community exposure and supporting HCW resilience are required.

scholarly journals Burnout among Portuguese healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivone Duarte ◽  
Andreia Teixeira ◽  
Luísa Castro ◽  
Sílvia Marina ◽  
Carla Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Work Related ◽  
High Workload

Abstract Background During COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have had high workload and have been exposed to multiple psychosocial stressors. The aim of this study was to evaluate HCWs in terms of the relative contributions of socio-demographic and mental health variables on three burnout dimensions: personal, work-related, and client-related burnout. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire spread via social networks. A snowball technique supported by health care institutions and professional organizations was applied. Results A total of 2008 subjects completed the survey. Gender, parental status, marriage status, and salary reduction were found to be significant factors for personal burnout. Health problems and direct contact with infected people were significantly associated with more susceptibility to high personal and work-related burnout. Frontline working positions were associated with all three dimensions. Higher levels of stress and depression in HCWs were significantly associated with increased levels of all burnout dimensions. Higher levels of satisfaction with life and resilience were significantly associated with lower levels of all burnout dimensions. Conclusions All three burnout dimensions were associated with a specific set of covariates. Consideration of these three dimensions is important when designing future burnout prevention programs for HCWs.

scholarly journals Association between work engagement and perceived exertion among healthcare workers

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 579-585
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Luiz Carregaro ◽  
Aline Martins de Toledo ◽  
Gustavo Christofoletti ◽  
Ana Beatriz de Oliveira ◽  
Jefferson Rosa Cardoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Musculoskeletal Complaints ◽  
Ratings Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Utrecht Work Engagement Scale ◽  
Chi Square Test

INTRODUCTION: Complaints and musculoskeletal discomforts are common manifestations of individuals affected by work-related disorders (WRMD), and the influence of individual and/or psychosocial risk factors may play a significant role in WRMD development. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and to compare work engagement (WE) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and to assess the association between indexes of WE and RPE among healthcare workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen female subjects (36 ± 11 years, 1.58 ± 0.06 m and 59 ± 9 kg) participated, all officially employed on a nonprofit agency. The Nordic Questionnaire was used to evaluate musculoskeletal complaints and the Borg Scale used to evaluate the RPE. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale quantified WE (vigor, dedication and absorption domains). Participants were divided into two groups, according to their sectors: healthcare clinics and institution for the elderly. The independent student t test was used to verify differences between groups and the chi-square test to verify associations between variables. RESULTS: All subjects reported musculoskeletal complaints, mainly in the low back (58%). RPE did not differ between groups, while in the vigor, it was found a significant statistically difference (p = 0.035). An association between RPE and vigor and RPE and dedication was establish (p = 0.02 and p = 0.036, respectively). CONCLUSION: The association between WE and RPE suggests that workers with lower indexes of vigor and dedication may perceive greater physical demand, which can be imposed by work demands.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 transmission and control in a hospital setting: an individual-based modelling study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qimin Huang ◽  
Anirban Mondal ◽  
Xiaobing Jiang ◽  
Mary Ann Horn ◽  
Fei Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Credible Interval ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Work Related ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Outbreak Size

Background: Development of strategies for mitigating the severity of COVID-19 is now a top global public health priority. We sought to assess strategies for mitigating the COVID-19 outbreak in a hospital setting via the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, self-isolation, tracing and quarantine, wearing facial masks/ personal protective equipment. Methods: We developed an individual-based model for COVID-19 transmission among healthcare workers in a hospital setting. We calibrated the model using data of a COVID-19 outbreak in a hospital unit in Wuhan in a Bayesian framework. The calibrated model was used to simulate different intervention scenarios and estimate the impact of different interventions on outbreak size and workday loss. Results: We estimated that work-related stress increases susceptibility to COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers by 52% (90% Credible Interval (CrI): 16.4% - 93.0%). The use of high efficacy facial masks was shown to be able to reduce infection cases and workday loss by 80% (90% CrI: 73.1% - 85.7%) and 87% (CrI: 80.0% - 92.5%), respectively. The use of social distancing alone, through reduced contacts between healthcare workers, had a marginal impact on the outbreak. A strict quarantine policy with the isolation of symptomatic cases and a high fraction of pre-symptomatic/ asymptomatic cases (via contact tracing or high test rate), could only prolong outbreak duration with minimal impact on the outbreak size. Our results indicated that a quarantine policy should be coupled with other interventions to achieve its effect. The effectiveness of all these interventions was shown to increase with their early implementation. Conclusions: Our analysis shows that a COVID-19 outbreak in a hospital's non-COVID-19 unit can be controlled or mitigated by the use of existing non-pharmaceutical measures.

scholarly journals Investigation on the Loss of Taste and Smell and Consequent Psychological Effects: A Cross-Sectional Study on Healthcare Workers Who Contracted the COVID-19 Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Dudine ◽  
Claudia Canaletti ◽  
Fabiola Giudici ◽  
Alberta Lunardelli ◽  
Giulia Abram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Taste And Smell

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between psychological distress and taste and sense of smell dysfunctions on healthcare workers (HCW) who contracted the COVID-19 infection in the midst of the disease outbreak. Reports of sudden loss of taste and smell which persist even after recovery from COVID-19 infection are increasingly recognized as critical symptoms for COVID-19 infections. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study on COVID-19 HCW (N = 104) who adhered to respond to a phone semistructured interview addressing the virus symptoms and associated psychological distress. Data were collected from June to September 2020. Findings confirm the association between experienced taste/olfactory loss and emotional distress and suggest that dysfunctions of taste and smell correlate positively with anxiety and depression. Furthermore, their psychological impact tends to persist even after the recovery from the disease, suggesting the need for appropriate psychological interventions to prevent people from developing more serious or long-lasting psychological disorders and, as far as HCW, to reduce the risk of work-related distress.

scholarly journals Risk Perception, Unhealthy Behavior, and Anxiety Due to Viral Epidemic Among Healthcare Workers: The Relationships With Depressive and Insomnia Symptoms During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jukab Lee ◽  
Hyuk Joo Lee ◽  
Youjin Hong ◽  
Yong-Wook Shin ◽  
Seockhoon Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Unhealthy Behavior ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Sex Perception

We aimed to investigate the relationship between mental health problems and unhealthy behaviors among healthcare workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using an online survey, we collected data on healthcare workers' perception regarding COVID-19 exposure in a work unit. Workers' depression, insomnia, and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Insomnia Severity Index, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, respectively. Work-related stress and anxiety in response to the viral epidemic were measured using the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic-9 (SAVE-9) scale. We found that work-related stress and anxiety in response to the viral epidemic was associated with female sex, perception of the workplace as being dangerous, and depressive symptoms. Unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and drinking as coping behaviors during the pandemic, were associated with male sex, young age, depression, and insomnia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to closely observe the patterns of work-related stress and anxiety reactions among healthcare workers to reduce their burnout.

scholarly journals Impact of Community Collaboration in the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Cielito Caneja
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Phone Calls

Background: SARS-COV-2 the cause of COVID-19 has sparked a global pandemic with devastating consequences on health, wellbeing, and the economy. Healthcare workers from the frontline of defence, yet, the pandemic affects not only healthcare workers but also their families. There is growing awareness of the benefits of COVID-19 support groups, for professionals and for the wider community. Migrant professionals make up a significant proportion of the human resources in delivering health care globally, as in the UK. Therefore any such initiative, should be culturally tailored to address their needs. Aim: To outline the development of a community support initiative, in the form of a non-profit organisation, for migrant minority Filipino healthcare professionals and their communities. Method: A mixed-method study with retrospective data collection.  A dedicated helpline was set up during the pandemic. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method was adopted. The cohort was divided into two groups, health care professionals and non-healthcare group, with interventions delivered by four divisions, which were health care, non-healthcare, information governance and public relations - social media divisions. Interactive focus group and webinars were facilitated and data collected via Emotions Behind the Mask questionnaire. Results: PDSA outcomes, the dedicated helpline responded to 40 phone calls in 6 weeks, calls were linked to basic needs of daily living or work-related issues. In 5 months, the organisations collaborated with 25 local, national, and international organisations delivering community and professional support. The online platform audience reached an audience of 27,795. Conclusion: The combined professional healthcare and community support initiative demonstrated an impact on healthcare staff with possible benefits in workforce retention. Further studies are required in a larger population exploring mental health and well-being specific to minority ethnic groups.

scholarly journals The Psychological Contract for Healthcare Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 9-11
Author(s):  
Blanca Grama
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Intention To Leave ◽  
Relational Model ◽  
Emotional Involvement ◽  
Organizational Contexts ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Emotional Aspects

Abstract Healthcare workers are more vulnerable to burnout due to the fact that they often face stressful situations that involve high levels of risk and emotional involvement, especially if they are exacerbated by patients they provide care to. The activity in the medical field is not only physically demanding, but also socio-emotional, being necessary a better understanding of the socio-emotional aspects present in the employment relationship. The health sector is facing continuous changes and reforms, periods of uncertainty when the fulfilment of the psychological contract is less probable. We propose the description of a relational model between the psychological contract with work engagement, burnout, organizational support and the intention to leave the organization for the medical staff. The results show that organizational support influences work-related outcomes and emphasizes the importance of examining organizational contexts, such as contract status, to understand the influence of support on work involvement and burnout.

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