Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical Schedules and Physical and Mental Well-Being of Gastroenterology Nonphysician Healthcare Workers: A Nationwide Survey.
Gastroenterol Nurs
; 44(4): 240-251, 2021.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1276288
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization. To minimize exposure and because of limited personal protective equipment resources, most gastroenterology practices were curtailed/modified during the surge, with slow reopening to a normal/semi-normal schedule. Gastroenterology healthcare workers have been impacted greatly by COVID-19, resulting in job and wage insecurity. The aim of our study was to understand the impact of COVID-19 on gastroenterology healthcare workers across the United States. A web-based survey, consisting of 40 questions, was disseminated among gastroenterology practices across the United States via en masse e-mails and direct contact by authors. In total, 223 gastroenterology healthcare workers completed the survey; 56.1% were from academic settings. COVID-19 impacted the work schedule of 85.2% of participants, with reduced weekly work hours (38.1%), duty reassignment (22.4%), and furlough (13.9%). Uncertainty about job and/or future wages/benefits after reopening was noted in 41%, which was significantly associated with the presence of physical (p = .021) and mental/emotional symptoms (p = .045). Worsening of pre-existing physical and/or mental/emotional conditions was observed in 53%. Inadequate personal protective equipment availability, lack of temporary housing and/or childcare facilities, as well as job insecurity appear to be the important factors leading to worsening physical/mental/emotional conditions among gastroenterology healthcare workers.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Mental Health
/
Health Personnel
/
Gastroenterology
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
Gastroenterol Nurs
Journal subject:
Nursing
/
Gastroenterology
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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