Dublin hospital workers' mental health during the peak of Ireland's COVID-19 pandemic.
Loading...
Authors
Brady, Conan
Fenton, Caoimhe
Loughran, Orlaith
Hayes, Blánaid
Hennessy, Martina
Higgins, Agnes
McLoughlin, Declan M
Issue Date
2022-06-22
Type
Journal Article
Language
en
Keywords
COVID-19 , Hospital staff , Mental health , Moral injury , Post-traumatic stress
Alternative Title
Abstract
Hospital-based healthcare workers have experienced significant psychological stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To evaluate the mental health of hospital workers during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Dublin, Ireland.
Cross-sectional anonymous online survey of hospital workers (n = 377; 181 doctors (48.0%), 166 nurses (44.0%), 30 radiographers (8.0%)), collecting demographic information, COVID-19 exposure history and mental health measures.
There were significant differences between profession groups in gender, experience, COVID-19 infection history, exposure to COVID-19 positive acquaintances, and work areas. Moderate-severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were found in 45.1% (95% CI 40.1-50.1%) of all participants; significantly fewer doctors reported moderate-severe PTSD symptoms (26%; 95% CI 22-36%). A World Health Organisation-5 Wellbeing Index (WHO-5) score ≤ 32, indicating low mood, was reported by 52% (95% CI 47-57%) of participants; significantly fewer doctors reported low mood (46%; 95% CI 39-53%). One-week suicidal ideation and planning were reported respectively by 13% (95% CI 10-16%) and 5% (95% CI 3-7%) of participants with no between-group differences. Doctors reported significantly less moral injury than other groups. There were no significant between-group differences regarding coping styles. Work ability was insufficient in 39% (95% CI 34-44%) of staff; no between-group differences.
Dublin hospital workers reported high levels of PTSD symptoms, mood disturbance, and moral injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerning levels of suicidal ideation and planning existed in this cohort. Differences in degrees of post-traumatic stress, moral injury, and wellbeing were found between profession groups, which should be considered when planning any supports.
To evaluate the mental health of hospital workers during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Dublin, Ireland.
Cross-sectional anonymous online survey of hospital workers (n = 377; 181 doctors (48.0%), 166 nurses (44.0%), 30 radiographers (8.0%)), collecting demographic information, COVID-19 exposure history and mental health measures.
There were significant differences between profession groups in gender, experience, COVID-19 infection history, exposure to COVID-19 positive acquaintances, and work areas. Moderate-severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were found in 45.1% (95% CI 40.1-50.1%) of all participants; significantly fewer doctors reported moderate-severe PTSD symptoms (26%; 95% CI 22-36%). A World Health Organisation-5 Wellbeing Index (WHO-5) score ≤ 32, indicating low mood, was reported by 52% (95% CI 47-57%) of participants; significantly fewer doctors reported low mood (46%; 95% CI 39-53%). One-week suicidal ideation and planning were reported respectively by 13% (95% CI 10-16%) and 5% (95% CI 3-7%) of participants with no between-group differences. Doctors reported significantly less moral injury than other groups. There were no significant between-group differences regarding coping styles. Work ability was insufficient in 39% (95% CI 34-44%) of staff; no between-group differences.
Dublin hospital workers reported high levels of PTSD symptoms, mood disturbance, and moral injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerning levels of suicidal ideation and planning existed in this cohort. Differences in degrees of post-traumatic stress, moral injury, and wellbeing were found between profession groups, which should be considered when planning any supports.
Description
Citation
Brady, C., Fenton, C., Loughran, O., Hayes, B., Hennessy, M., Higgins, A., & McLoughlin, D. M. (2023). Dublin hospital workers' mental health during the peak of Ireland's COVID-19 pandemic. Irish journal of medical science, 192(3), 1293–1302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-03056-0
Publisher
License
© 2022. The Author(s).
Journal
Irish journal of medical science
Volume
192
Issue
3
PubMed ID
DOI
10.1007/s11845-022-03056-0
10.1093/aje/kwaa191
10.1073/pnas.2105337118
10.1056/NEJMsb2005114
10.1111/anae.15185
10.1016/j.ienj.2014.05.001
10.1093/intqhc/mzx087
10.1038/nrmicro.2016.81
10.3201/eid1212.060584
10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.10.003
10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042930
10.1186/s13244-020-00910-6
10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00017
10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.024
10.1016/j.brat.2003.07.010
10.1159/000376585
10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.10111704
10.1186/1472-6963-12-292
10.1207/s15327558ijbm0401_6
10.1097/01.psy.0000145673.84698.18
10.1177/070674370905400504
10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3976
10.1016/j.outlook.2020.07.007
10.1176/appi.ps.202000424
10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113654
10.1002/da.23129
10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025433
10.1093/aje/kwaa191
10.1073/pnas.2105337118
10.1056/NEJMsb2005114
10.1111/anae.15185
10.1016/j.ienj.2014.05.001
10.1093/intqhc/mzx087
10.1038/nrmicro.2016.81
10.3201/eid1212.060584
10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.10.003
10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042930
10.1186/s13244-020-00910-6
10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00017
10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.024
10.1016/j.brat.2003.07.010
10.1159/000376585
10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.10111704
10.1186/1472-6963-12-292
10.1207/s15327558ijbm0401_6
10.1097/01.psy.0000145673.84698.18
10.1177/070674370905400504
10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3976
10.1016/j.outlook.2020.07.007
10.1176/appi.ps.202000424
10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113654
10.1002/da.23129
10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025433
ISSN
1863-4362