ABSTRACT
Objectives@#This study aimed to compare the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and the coping styles among physicians and nurses in a COVID-19 referral hospital in Manila from June to July 2020.@*Methods@#A cross-sectional study among medical residents and nurses selected via convenience sampling was employed. Data were obtained through COVID Stressors and Stress Reduction Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, and Filipino Coping Strategies Scale. Descriptive and inferential analysis of data was done. @*Results@#Five hundred seventy-one (571) healthcare workers (total population: 1,650 nurses and physicians) participated in the study, representing 81.6% of the computed sample size of 700 respondents. Among the participants, 60.6 %, 69.0%, 48.9% reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Nineteen percent (19%) of nurses reported severe to extremely severe depression, and 42.0% reported severe to extremely severe anxiety. In contrast, 30.8% of residents reported severe to extremely severe depression, and 28.4% conveyed severe to extremely severe anxiety. There was no association observed between perceived levels of stress between the two healthcare professions. There were more mildly to extremely severe anxious healthcare workers in the COVID areas (74.6%) compared to the non-COVID areas (61.2%). Differences in coping styles were observed among the participants’ clinico-demographic characteristics. Top healthcare worker stressors include being negligent and endangering co-workers (88.6%), frequent modification of infection control procedures (87.0%), and discomfort from protective equipment (81.4%). Top stress-reducing factors include provision of food and vitamins (86.7%), sufficient rest (84.2%), and support from higher-ranking colleagues (73.7%). @*Conclusion@#This study has shown that more than half of the healthcare workers reported mild to extreme levels of depression and anxiety, while a little less than half reported mild to extreme levels of stress. The development and implementation of hospital interventions and programs based on the sources of distress and stress-reducing factors is recommended to mitigate the impact of sustained psychological distress on mental health and physical wellbeing of hospital healthcare workers.
Subject(s)
Psychological DistressABSTRACT
Objectives@#Psychological distress is more prevalent among medical students compared to the general population. This study describes the factors which contribute to the well-being of medical students enrolled in the UP College of Medicine, and their relationship with the students’ demographic characteristics.@*Methods@#The modified Cardiff Medical School Well-being Questionnaire was administered to 598 students of the UP College of Medicine. The following domains were explored: acquisition of knowledge and skills, work-life balance, demands, travel and orientation, safety, culture, finances, perceived support in academics and perceived support in personal/health matters. Students also shared their insights regarding potential areas of change to enhance their engagement and performance. Demographics are presented as frequency and percentage; the relationship between the demographic characteristics and factors was analyzed through multiple linear regression. @*Results@#The mean age of the medical student participants was 22.6 years, with an almost equal male to female ratio. The majority were single, Roman Catholic, lateral entrants, having a high socioeconomic status, and with residence in the City of Manila while in training. Medical students were least concerned about culture, safety at work, travel and orientation, and perceived support for academics. However, they were most concerned about work-life balance, demands, finance, and perceived support on personal and health matters.@*Conclusion@#Medical students expressed more concern about work-life balance, demands, finance, and perceived support on personal and health issues, and marked less concern about culture, safety at work, travel and orientation, and perceived support for academics. Across all domains, there are areas for improvement and limitations which can be further explored in future studies.