Burnout and peritraumatic distress of healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the current status of emotional exhaustion and peritraumatic distress of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify factors associated with their mental health status. METHODS: An online survey involving 1068 of consented HCWs that included nurses, physicians, and public health officers was conducted in May 2020. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses were performed on the collected data. RESULTS: Although no significant difference in peritraumatic distress was observed among the surveyed HCWs, the workers' experience of emotional exhaustion varied according to work characteristics. Respondents who were female, older, living with a spouse, and/or full-time workers reported higher levels of emotional exhaustion. Public health officers and other medical personnel who did not have direct contact with confirmed patients and full-time workers had a higher level of peritraumatic distress. Forced involvement in work related to COVID-19, worry about stigma, worry about becoming infected, and perceived sufficiency of organizational support negatively predict emotional exhaustion and peritraumatic distress. CONCLUSIONS: Job-related and emotional stress of HCWs should not be neglected. Evidence-based interventions and supports are required to protect HCWs from mental illness and to promote mental health of those involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors Associated With the Work Intention of Hospital Workers' in South Korea During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Outbreak.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore factors associated with the work intention of hospital workers in the early stages of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in South Korea. METHODS: An online self-reported survey was conducted in a tertiary hospital. Respondents were asked to report their perceived threat and perceived risk of infection, evaluation of hospital response, demographics, and job-related factors. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 441 employees participated in this study. Of respondents, 60% were willing to accept their work during an infectious disease outbreak and 12.5% were unwilling to accept the work. In addition, 8% of respondents reported that they had considered quitting their job, 54.4% reported that their job was dangerous, and 50.1% of respondents perceived the severity of COVID-19 as high. Perceived threat and effectiveness of hospital response were associated with hospital employees' intention to work. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak. This study highlighted hospital workers' perceived effectiveness of organizational response to the outbreak, and perceived threats were found to be important factors for whether they continued to work or not in the fight against the outbreak.