Nancy H Stewart1, Anya Koza2, Serena Dhaon3, Christiana Shoushtari4, Maylyn Martinez5, Vineet M Arora5. 1. University of Kansas Medical Centerr, 4000 Cambridge St.Mailstop 3007, Kansas City, US. 2. Kansas City University, Kansas City, US. 3. University of Illinois, Chicago, US. 4. Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, US. 5. University of Chicago, Chicago, US.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: During the pandemic, healthcare workers on social media are sharing their challenges, including sleep disturbances, however no study has evaluated sleep in US frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To assess sleep among US frontline healthcare workers with validated measures on social media. METHODS: A self-selection survey was distributed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for 16 days (August 31-September 15, 2020) targeting healthcare workers (HCW) who were clinically active during the pandemic. Study participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and reported demographic/career information. Poor sleep quality was defined as PSQI>5. Moderate-to-severe insomnia was defined as an ISI>14. The mini-Z was used to measure burnout. Multivariate logistic regression tested associations between demographics, career characteristics, and sleep outcomes. RESULTS: Nine-hundred and sixty-three surveys were completed. Participants were predominantly white (92.8%), female (73.4%), aged 30-49 (71.9%), and physicians (64.4%). Mean sleep duration was 6.1 (SD 1.2) hours. Nearly 90% reported poor sleep (PSQI). One third (33.0%) reported moderate or severe insomnia. Many (60%) experienced sleep disruptions due to device usage or had bad dreams at least once per week (45%). Over 50% reported burnout. In multivariable logistic regressions, non-physician (OR 2.4; CI: 1.7, 3.4), caring for COVID-19 patients (OR 1.8; CI 1.2, 2.8), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 2.2; CI: 1.4, 3.5), being female (OR 1.6; CI 1.1, 2.4), and having a sleep disorder (OR 4.3; CI 2.7,6.9) were associated with increased odds of insomnia. In open-ended comments (n=310), poor sleep mapped to four categories: children and family, work demands, personal health, and pandemic-related sleep disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 90% of US frontline healthcare workers surveyed on social media reported poor sleep, over one-third reported insomnia, and over half reported burnout. Many also reported sleep disruptions due to device usage and nightmares. Sleep interventions for frontline healthcare workers are urgently needed.
BACKGROUND: During the pandemic, healthcare workers on social media are sharing their challenges, including sleep disturbances, however no study has evaluated sleep in US frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To assess sleep among US frontline healthcare workers with validated measures on social media. METHODS: A self-selection survey was distributed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for 16 days (August 31-September 15, 2020) targeting healthcare workers (HCW) who were clinically active during the pandemic. Study participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and reported demographic/career information. Poor sleep quality was defined as PSQI>5. Moderate-to-severe insomnia was defined as an ISI>14. The mini-Z was used to measure burnout. Multivariate logistic regression tested associations between demographics, career characteristics, and sleep outcomes. RESULTS: Nine-hundred and sixty-three surveys were completed. Participants were predominantly white (92.8%), female (73.4%), aged 30-49 (71.9%), and physicians (64.4%). Mean sleep duration was 6.1 (SD 1.2) hours. Nearly 90% reported poor sleep (PSQI). One third (33.0%) reported moderate or severe insomnia. Many (60%) experienced sleep disruptions due to device usage or had bad dreams at least once per week (45%). Over 50% reported burnout. In multivariable logistic regressions, non-physician (OR 2.4; CI: 1.7, 3.4), caring for COVID-19patients (OR 1.8; CI 1.2, 2.8), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 2.2; CI: 1.4, 3.5), being female (OR 1.6; CI 1.1, 2.4), and having a sleep disorder (OR 4.3; CI 2.7,6.9) were associated with increased odds of insomnia. In open-ended comments (n=310), poor sleep mapped to four categories: children and family, work demands, personal health, and pandemic-related sleep disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 90% of US frontline healthcare workers surveyed on social media reported poor sleep, over one-third reported insomnia, and over half reported burnout. Many also reported sleep disruptions due to device usage and nightmares. Sleep interventions for frontline healthcare workers are urgently needed.
Authors: Haitham A Jahrami; Omar A Alhaj; Ali M Humood; Ahmad F Alenezi; Feten Fekih-Romdhane; Maha M AlRasheed; Zahra Q Saif; Nicola Luigi Bragazzi; Seithikurippu R Pandi-Perumal; Ahmed S BaHammam; Michael V Vitiello Journal: Sleep Med Rev Date: 2022-01-22 Impact factor: 11.401