COVID-19 Pandemic Takes Toll on Emergency Health Care Workers' Mental Well-being

Strategic Insights -

Research presented by a team at George Washington University suggests that emergency health care workers, particularly nurses, are at a higher risk of depression/anxiety and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study focused on the perceived work environment and its impact on mental well-being among emergency physicians, nurses, and emergency medical services (EMS) providers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 701 emergency health care workers, with 23% screening positive for depression/anxiety and 39.7% for burnout.
  • Nurses were significantly more likely to screen positive for depression/anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-3.86) and burnout (aOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.22-3.49) compared to attending physicians.
  • The study identified four subgroups of respondents, with participants in the two groups with the most adverse work environments being significantly more likely to screen positive for depression/anxiety.
  • Targeted strategies to promote better perceptions of the workplace are needed to address the mental health concerns among emergency health care workers.

Statistics:

  • 701 emergency health care workers participated in the study.
  • 23% of respondents screened positive for depression/anxiety.
  • 39.7% of respondents screened positive for burnout.
  • Nurses were significantly more likely to screen positive for depression/anxiety (aOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.11-3.86) and burnout (aOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.22-3.49) compared to attending physicians.
  • Participants in the two groups with the most adverse work environments were significantly more likely to screen positive for depression/anxiety (aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.05-3.42; aOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.14-3.66) compared to participants working in environments perceived as less adverse.

Sources:

  • The Perceived Work Environment and Well-being: a Survey of Emergency Health Care Workers During the Covid-19 Pandemic. Academic Emergency Medicine, 2022.
  • Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. June 26, 2022; p 511.

(Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/; Academic Emergency Medicine - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1553-2712)