Rima Styra1, Laura Hawryluck2, Allison McGeer3, Michelle Dimas4, Eileen Lam1, Peter Giacobbe5, Gianni Lorello6, Neil Dattani7, Jack Sheen8, Valeria E Rac9,10, Troy Francis10, Peter E Wu11, Wing-Si Luk12, Jeya Nadarajah13, Wayne L Gold3,11. 1. Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2. Critical Care Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 3. Division of Infectious Diseases, University Health Network and Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 4. Department of Research, William Osler Health System, Brampton, Ontario, Canada. 5. Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 6. Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 7. Department of Emergency and Urgent Care, William Osler Health System, Brampton, Ontario, Canada. 8. Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 9. Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 10. Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment (THETA) Collaborative, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 11. Division of General Internal Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 12. Patient Safety and Quality Improvement, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 13. Division of Infectious Diseases, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Markham, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study explores the relationship between emotional support, perceived risk and mental health outcomes among health care workers, who face high rates of burnout and mental distress since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicentred online survey of health care workers in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic evaluated coping strategies, confidence in infection control, impact of previous work during the 2003 SARS outbreak and emotional support. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, the Impact of Event Scale - Revised and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). RESULTS: Of 3852 participants, 8.2% sought professional mental health services while 77.3% received emotional support from family, 74.0% from friends and 70.3% from colleagues. Those who felt unsupported in their work had higher odds ratios of experiencing moderate and severe symptoms of anxiety (odds ratio [OR] = 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.84-2.69), PTSD (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.58-2.25) and depression (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.57-2.25). Nearly 40% were afraid of telling family about the risks they were exposed to at work. Those who were able to share this information demonstrated lower risk of anxiety (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.48-0.69), PTSD (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.41-0.56) and depression (OR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.47-0.65). CONCLUSION: Informal sources of support, including family, friends and colleagues, play an important role in mitigating distress and should be encouraged and utilized more by health care workers.
INTRODUCTION: This study explores the relationship between emotional support, perceived risk and mental health outcomes among health care workers, who face high rates of burnout and mental distress since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicentred online survey of health care workers in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic evaluated coping strategies, confidence in infection control, impact of previous work during the 2003 SARS outbreak and emotional support. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, the Impact of Event Scale - Revised and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). RESULTS: Of 3852 participants, 8.2% sought professional mental health services while 77.3% received emotional support from family, 74.0% from friends and 70.3% from colleagues. Those who felt unsupported in their work had higher odds ratios of experiencing moderate and severe symptoms of anxiety (odds ratio [OR] = 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.84-2.69), PTSD (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.58-2.25) and depression (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.57-2.25). Nearly 40% were afraid of telling family about the risks they were exposed to at work. Those who were able to share this information demonstrated lower risk of anxiety (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.48-0.69), PTSD (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.41-0.56) and depression (OR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.47-0.65). CONCLUSION: Informal sources of support, including family, friends and colleagues, play an important role in mitigating distress and should be encouraged and utilized more by health care workers.
Entities:
Keywords:
PTSD; anxiety; burnout; depression; health care workers; infection control; mental health; posttraumatic stress disorder; psychological support; support
Authors: Jean-Louis Vincent; Carole Boulanger; Margo M C van Mol; Laura Hawryluck; Elie Azoulay Journal: Crit Care Date: 2022-10-13 Impact factor: 19.334