ABSTRACT
Background: The overarching aim of the study was to (1) investigate how working with COVID-19 patients has impacted work environment, and (2) to identify how factors in the work environment impact adverse health outcomes among hospital personnel (HP), throughout the four waves of the pandemic. Material(s) and Method(s): In a web-based survey altogether 2472 HP participated from four large university hospitals in Norway, whereof N = 680 in April-June 2020 (T1), N = 1073 in December-January 2020/2021 (T2), N = 818 in April-May 2021 (T3), and N = 972 in December 2021-February 2022 (T4). At each time point participants reported on pandemic related work tasks, work environment and adverse health outcomes. Somatic symptoms, psychological distress, posttraumatic stress symptoms and burnout served as outcomes of multivariable linear regression models. The percentage of responders involved in ICU treatment of COVID-19 patients varied between 21% and 40% from T1-T4. Result(s): Reported stressors altered in strength during the 4 waves. Preliminary results indicate that exposure to patients with COVID-19 was associated with more frequent experience of work environmental factors. Compared to colleagues not working with patients with COVID-19 HP reported challenges related to professional competency and training, predictability in teams and work environment, manageable workload, adequate help and support for work stress management, user-friendliness of Personal Protection Equipment and infection protection safety. Furthermore, these environmental factors were associated with symptoms of psychological unhealth on at least one timepoint. Conclusion(s): The results may help guide organizational efforts to maintain professional competency and to reduce stress more efficiently among hospital personnel at different stages in response to long-term crises.