ABSTRACT
Background: Exposure to patients with COVID-19 can have a significant impact on mental health of hospital medical staff. The aim of this study was to examine the influence ofproximity to patients with COVID-19 considering occupational position and gender on the mental health of hospital staff. Subjects and methods: N=78 participants were included in the study, with n=40 of them with direct contact to patients with COVID-19 (51%);eight had contact with patients suspected of having COVID-19 (10%), and n=30 with no direct contact to people with COVID-19 (39%). Result(s): Multinomial regression analyses showed that proximity had a negative (inverse) influence on avoidance behaviour as part of PTSD, physical symptoms, somatization, compulsiveness and anger expression-in as tendency to suppress anger. In addition, there was a significant impact of the female gender on increased physical symptoms, while age, work experience and occupation had no further influence. Conclusion(s): These results that hospital medical staff is less psychologically stressed when closer to COVID-19 patients are inconsistent with previous studies. Self-efficacy and locus of control in these situations are relevant for processing the trauma. In summary, perception of personal risk is essential. Proximity is believed to be a proxy variable for personal risk perception. As a synopsis of these results, regular briefings of the hospital staff are recommended to prevent psychological impairment. They should contain specific information about conditions in the affected wards and the risk of infection, which could help reduce risk perception of medical personnel. Copyright © Medicinska naklada - Zagreb, Croatia.
ABSTRACT
Background: The rapidly spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) worldwide has become the most challenging global health pandemic since the 1918 flu. In Germany, more than 2.5 million cases are confirmed so far, with more than 70,000 deaths. An increased fatality rate was seen among patients with preexisting comorbid conditions, especially with cardiovascular diseases, representing this group at particular risk. Purpose: Risk perceptions of public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic can affect people's mental health, reveal gaps in support, and influences the adherence to regulatory requirements. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in health perception among patients with aortic diseases during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Methods: Patients (n=262) diagnosed with aortic disease participated in telephone interviews during the first (w1, April 6-April 29, 2020) and second wave (w2, January 11-January 29, 2021) of the pandemic in Germany. The perception of COVID-19 as a threat was examined using relevant items of the Brief Illness Perception (BIP) questionnaire to address four dimensions (consequences, control, personal control, and understanding). Relevant data focusing on different aortic diseases and cardiovascular risk factors were taken from patient records. Results: Aortic diseases included mainly aortic aneurysm of the ascending (n=164, 62.6%) and the descending aorta (n=37, 14.1%). Patients with acute or chronic aortic dissection made up a third (n=41, 15.6%, and n=48, 18.3%, respectively). At baseline (w1), none of the participants had neither been quarantined nor were taken ill with COVID-19. At the second survey (w2), 24 participants (n=252, 9.5%) had already been quarantined and five (n=252, 2%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. The BIP score increased 9.18 (SD=7.132) to 14.58 (SD = 6.956) between w1 and w2 (p<.001). At the level of dimensions, that meant a significant difference between w1 and w2 regarding consequences (M=-2.821, SD=3.049, 95% CI [-3.200, -2.443], t(251)=-14.691, p<.001, d=0.92), control (M=0.908, SD=2.492, 95% CI [0.589, 1.218], t(249)=5.760, p<.001, d=0.36), and concern (M=-1.669, SD=3.349, 95% CI [-2.086, -1.253], t(250)=-7.898, p<0.001, d=0.50). Only understanding showed no significant difference (M=-0.032, SD=1.520, 95% CI [-0.220, 0.157], t(251)=-0.332, p=0.740). Conclusion: Although patients with aortic diseases are highly at risk of having worse outcomes from COVID-19, their overall perception of COVID- 19 as a threat was low in the beginning, but rising during the second wave. The main reasons were the increased effects on personal life and elevated concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, but concerns did not include the educational aspect of COVID-19. Tailored risk communication strengthens the mental health of people in a public health crisis and ensures the success of governmental guidelines and policies.
ABSTRACT
The PCR-test for SARS-CoV-2 represents the state of the art in diagnosing COVID-19 disease as at November 2020. However, above all this is time-consuming. In future, so-called antigen tests could be carried out quickly and as a point-of-care method to facilitate the diagnosis of COVID-19. Changes in serological biomarkers (such as D-dimers, troponin T, CRP) can help to identify patients at risk for a severe COVID-19 course. A routine screening CT thorax to identify COVID-19 pneumonia is currently not recommended by most radiological societies. However, the number of CT examinations is increasing steadily and radiological diagnosis in COVID-19 patients with pulmonary symptoms is becomingmore and more important.