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Protecting the front line: a cross-sectional survey analysis of the occupational factors contributing to healthcare workers' infection and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA.
Firew, Tsion; Sano, Ellen D; Lee, Jonathan W; Flores, Stefan; Lang, Kendrick; Salman, Kiran; Greene, M Claire; Chang, Bernard P.
  • Firew T; Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA tsionfirew@gmail.com.
  • Sano ED; Office of the Minister, Ethiopia Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • Lee JW; Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
  • Flores S; Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
  • Lang K; Department of Emergnecy Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
  • Salman K; Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
  • Greene MC; School of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.
  • Chang BP; General Public Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA.
BMJ Open ; 10(10): e042752, 2020 10 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-889901
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with significant occupational stressors and challenges for front-line healthcare workers (HCWs), including COVID-19 exposure risk. Our study sought to assess factors contributing to HCW infection and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA.

DESIGN:

We conducted a cross sectional survey of HCWs (physicians, nurses, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), non-clinical staff) during May 2020. Participants completed a 42-item survey assessing disease transmission risk (clinical role, work environment, availability of personal protective equipment) and mental health (anxiety, depression and burn-out).

SETTING:

The questionnaire was disseminated over various social media platforms. 3083 respondents from 48 states, the District of Columbia and US territories accessed the survey.

PARTICIPANTS:

Using a convenience sample of HCWs who worked during the pandemic, 3083 respondents accessed the survey and 2040 participants completed at least 80% of the survey. PRIMARY

OUTCOME:

Prevalence of self-reported COVID-19 infection, in addition to burn-out, depression and anxiety symptoms.

RESULTS:

Participants were largely from the Northeast and Southern USA, with attending physicians (31.12%), nurses (26.80%), EMTs (13.04%) with emergency medicine department (38.30%) being the most common department and specialty represented. Twenty-nine per cent of respondents met the criteria for being a probable case due to reported COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test. HCWs in the emergency department (31.64%) were more likely to contract COVID-19 compared with HCWs in the ICU (23.17%) and inpatient settings (25.53%). HCWs that contracted COVID-19 also reported higher levels of depressive symptoms (mean diff.=0.31; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.47), anxiety symptoms (mean diff.=0.34; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.52) and burn-out (mean diff.=0.54; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.71).

CONCLUSION:

HCWs have experienced significant physical and psychological risk while working during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the urgent need for increased support for provider physical and mental health well-being.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Burnout, Professional / Mental Health / Health Personnel / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics / Betacoronavirus / Psychological Distress Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: BMJ Open Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bmjopen-2020-042752

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Burnout, Professional / Mental Health / Health Personnel / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics / Betacoronavirus / Psychological Distress Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: BMJ Open Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bmjopen-2020-042752