Psychological demands of health professionals in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Recent literature emphasizes how the specific stressors of the COVID-19 outbreak affect the general population and frontline professionals, including those conducting support or backup activities in health units, which can lead to vicarious traumatization. Vicarious traumatization has been used to describe negative emotional reactions in mental health professionals who assist or treat victims of traumatic events. Thus, the aim of this article is to report the actions used in the face of the psychological demands of professionals in a hospital, who were not on the frontline of COVID-19. We collected their sociodemographic information and checked the psychological impact using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21), which was followed by a psychoeducational program (topics related to COVID-19 control and prevention), and individual psychological care for the most severe cases. A total of 118 professionals participated in this study; they were between 20 and 67 years old. Mild to moderate anxiety was observed in 36.5% of the medical teams, 83.3% of the administrative staff, and 65.7% of general service workers, while stress symptoms were observed in 80.2%, 83.3%, and 59.9%, respectively. Depressive symptoms (35.3%) were more frequent in general service workers. The medical teams reported the benefits of primary psychological care, while the other professionals demanded more institutional support services related to the prevention and use of personal protective equipment. This study highlights relevant psychological demands that have repercussions on the daily lives of professionals. The psychoeducational program was considered positive regarding clarification actions. However, it was not perceived as effective in reducing fear, which may result from vicarious traumatization and requires other intervention modalities.

Aspectos comportamentais da mulher mastectomizada e a ocorrência de complicações no pós-operatório / Behavior aspects in mastectomized females and the occurrence of post-operation complications

Verificar o comportamento da mulher mastectomizada e as complicações mais frequentes no pós-operatório tardio. Pesquisa transversal do tipo descritiva de natureza quantitativa em uma organização não governamental. A população foi constituída por 40 mulheres. Dos 87,50% receberam orientações sobre os cuidados pós-operatórios e 67,50% orientações de enfermagem. Além disso, 27,50% não realizaram a mamografia após a cirurgia, 15,00% não tinham o hábito de palpar a mama e 55,00% não realizaram automassagem no pós-operatório. Quanto à realização de movimentos simples como pentear os cabelos com o membro do lado operado, 57,50% não realizaram. O comportamento das mulheres submetidas à mastectomia foi em maioria de acordo com o que é recomendado. No entanto, ainda há necessidade de aumentar a qualidade das orientações, visto que apesar de existir seguimento recomendado entre as mulheres pesquisadas, o percentual de complicações foi considerável e a redução da ADM do ombro, dor crônica e ISC foram as mais prevalentes.

To assess the behavior of mastectomized females and the most frequent post-operation complications. Current transversal and descriptive research was undertaken in a non-governmental organization, with 40 females. 87.5% received monitoring on post-operation care and 67.5% received nursing guidelines. Further, 27.50% failed to have a mammography after surgery; 15.00% were not accustomed to touch their breasts; 55.00% failed to self-massage during the post-operation period; 57.5% did not undertake simples movements such as combing hair with the hand on the side of the operated side. Behavior of females with mastectomy complied with recommended habits. However, quality of monitoring should increase. Although most females followed guidelines, the perception of complications was significant and reduction of ADM of the shoulder, chronic pain and ISC were prevalent.