Supervisors info:
Κυρίτση Ελένη, Ομότιμη Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Νοσηλευτικής, ΠΑΔΑ
Τούσουλης Δημήτριος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Τούτούζας Κωνσταντίνος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Introduction: Healthcare workers are among the high-risk group for covid-19 infection. Frontline battle with COVID-19 increases healthcare professionals’ vulnerability to psychological distress. Findings indicate increased levels of depression, stress, anxiety, distress, anger, fear, insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Aim: The aim of this study was to capture the experiences of physicians and nurses during their covid-19 illness, as well as to assess the intensity of their anxiety and depression during the illness.
Results: Of the 22 participants, the vast majority (77.3%) were female. 31.8% were physicians and 68.2% were nurses. Comorbidity was reported by 45.5% of the sample and the same percentage took medication for various reasons. Shortness of breath was reported by 22.7%, weakness by 100% of the sample, joint pain by 88.8%, anosmia / taste loss by 54.5% and headache by 77.3%. Of all participants, 50% report other symptoms. 22.7 were given O2; 72.7% experienced severe anxiety and 36.4% severe depression. Higher levels of anxiety were experienced by those with weakness, p=0.022, and joint pain, p=0.033. More severe depression was experienced by individuals over 45 years of age p=0.039, those who experienced anosmia, p=0.043, and taste loss, p=0.043.
The qualitative study showed that physicians and nurses with covid-19 infection experienced strong feelings related to work, fear of spreading the virus in their family, fear of the unknown element in the disease, and reported increased empathy towards patients. They also experienced intense anxiety and stress about possible worsening of the disease and the development of complications.
Conclusion: Pandemics exert a significant psychological impact on health professionals, highlighting the need for appropriate psychological support, interventions and support measures.
Keywords:
Pandemic, Healthcare workers, Covid-19, Anxiety, Dipression
