Social isolation emanated psychological exhaustion and disconnectedness among physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of a qualitative study in Pakistan (preprint)

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare providers remained on call in COVID-19 wards, isolation centres, and emergency departments, caring for both infected and non-infected patients. Physicians have faced various challenges during the pandemic, including the stress of working with limited resources, the physical burden of long work hours and fear of public abuse in terms of stigmatization. Therefore, this study focusses on social-psychological aspects of isolation period of physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: It is a qualitative study based on responses from 14 physicians working in two hospitals located in Islamabad, which is the capital city of Pakistan (Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS] and PolyclinicHospital). In-depth interviews were conducted with selected physicians by using an interview guide as a tool of data collection to explore the experiences of those physicians who suffered from COVID-19 and lived in isolation as their quarantine period. The data was analyzed by using thematic analysis technique. Results: The study explored isolation experiences of physicians during the selected period of COVID-19 and significantly found that two major themes emerged, i.e. psychological exhaustion (depression, anxiety and loneliness were subthemes) and disconnectedness (relational detachment and lack of interaction were subthemes). Conclusions: This pandemic crisis has significantly resulted in having adverse impact on the ability of physicians to approach both potential and existing patients. Particularly in times of such a crisis, adequate measures have to be taken to address mental health issues of the health workforce.

COVID-19-related burnout reduces COVID-19 vaccination intention in cardiac patients: a cross-sectional study in Greece (preprint)

Background: New SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged and COVID-19 is still a public health issue, especially for vulnerable groups such as people with chronic medical conditions. Objective: To investigate the impact of COVID-19-related burnout on COVID-19 vaccination intention in cardiac patients. Moreover, we investigated other possible demographic and psychological predictors of vaccination intention in cardiac patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Greece using a convenience sample. Data collection was performed from 20 November 2022 to 10 January 2023. We measured demographic data, COVID-19-related burnout, anxiety, depression, social support, and resilience. We used the following valid tools: COVID-19 burnout scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-4, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Brief Resilience Scale. Results: Among patients, 45.8% were willing to accept a COVID-19 booster dose, 25.3% were hesitant, and 28.9% were unwilling. Patients experienced moderate levels of COVID-19-related burnout. After multivariable linear regression analysis, we found that increased age and decreased emotional exhaustion due to COVID-19 were associated with increased vaccination intention. Moreover, patients who have already received a booster dose had also a greater willingness to accept a new booster dose. Conclusions: Identification of factors that influence patients decision to accept a COVID-19 booster dose is crucial to maintain a high vaccination coverage rate among them in order to avoid COVID-19-related outcomes. Since a COVID-19 booster dose on an annual basis seems to be necessary policy makers should develop and implement vaccination programmes tailored for patients.

The sustained psychological impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on hospital workers 2 years after the outbreak: a repeated cross-sectional study in Kobe (preprint)

Background Healthcare workers who are exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 are psychologically distressed. This study aimed to evaluate the mental health outcomes of hospital workers 2 years after the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 and to identify changes in the stress of hospital workers and predicted risk factors.Methods This survey was conducted 2 years after the initial evaluation performed under the first emergency declaration of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic among hospital workers at the same hospital in an ordinance-designated city in Japan from June to July 2022. Sociodemographic data, 19 stress-related question responses, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and the Maslach burnout inventory-general survey were collected. Multiple regression models were used to identify factors associated with each of the mental health outcomes 2 years after the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak.Results We received 719 valid responses. Between 2020 and 2022, hospital workers’ anxiety about infection decreased, whereas their exhaustion and workload increased. Multiple regression analysis revealed that 2 years after the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, nurses and young people were at a higher risk of experiencing stress and burnout due to emotional exhaustion, respectively.Conclusions This is the first study to examine the long-term stress of hospital workers measured in Japan. Exhaustion and workload were worsened 2 years into the pandemic. Therefore, health and medical institutions should continuously monitor the physical and psychological health of staff members.