Experiences and well-being of healthcare professionals working in the field of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynaecology as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic were evolving: a cross-sectional survey study.
BMJ Open
; 12(2): e051700, 2022 02 04.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1673428
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Assess experience of healthcare professionals (HCPs) working with ultrasound in obstetrics and gynaecology during the evolving SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, given the new and unprecedented challenges involving viral exposure, personal protective equipment (PPE) and well-being.DESIGN:
Prospective cross-sectional survey study.SETTING:
Online international survey. Single-best, open box and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questions.PARTICIPANTS:
The survey was sent to 35 509 HCPs in 124 countries and was open from 7 to 21 May 2020. 2237/3237 (69.1%) HCPs from 115 countries who consented to participate completed the survey. 1058 (47.3%) completed the HADS. PRIMARY OUTCOMEMEASURES:
Overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, depression and anxiety among HCPs in relation to country and PPE availability. ANALYSES Univariate analyses were used to investigate associations without generating erroneous causal conclusions.RESULTS:
Confirmed/suspected SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was 13.0%. PPE provision concerns were raised by 74.1% of participants; highest among trainees/resident physicians (83.9%) and among HCPs in Spain (89.7%). Most participants worked in self-perceived high-risk areas with SARS-CoV-2 (67.5%-87.0%), with proportionately more trainees interacting with suspected/confirmed infected patients (57.1% vs 24.2%-40.6%) and sonographers seeing more patients who did not wear a mask (33.3% vs 13.9%-7.9%). The most frequent PPE combination used was gloves and a surgical mask (22.3%). UK and US respondents reported spending less time self-isolating (8.8 days) and lower satisfaction with their national pandemic response (37.0%-43.0%). 19.8% and 8.8% of respondents met the criteria for moderate to severe anxiety and depression, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:
Reported prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in HCPs is consistent with literature findings. Most respondents used gloves and a surgical mask, with a greater SARS-CoV-2 prevalence compared with those using 'full' PPE. HCPs with the least agency (trainees and sonographers) were not only more likely to see high-risk patients but also less likely to be protected. A fifth of respondents reported moderate to severe anxiety.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
/
Gynecology
/
Obstetrics
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Language:
English
Journal:
BMJ Open
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bmjopen-2021-051700
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