Emotional Distress of the COVID-19 Cluster Infection on Health Care Workers Working at a National Hospital in KoreaEmotional Distress of the COVID-19 Cluster Infection on Health Care Workers Working at a National Hospital in Korea
- Authors
- Jang Og-Jin; Chung Young-In; Lee Jae-Woon; Kim Ho-Chan; Seo Jeong Seok
- Issue Date
- 6-Dec-2021
- Publisher
- 대한의학회
- Keywords
- COVID-19; Healthcare Worker; Psychological Impact; Distress; Depression; PTSD
- Citation
- Journal of Korean Medical Science, v.36, no.47, pp 1 - 12
- Pages
- 12
- Journal Title
- Journal of Korean Medical Science
- Volume
- 36
- Number
- 47
- Start Page
- 1
- End Page
- 12
- URI
- https://scholarworks.bwise.kr/cau/handle/2019.sw.cau/61930
- DOI
- 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e324
- ISSN
- 1011-8934
1598-6357
- Abstract
- Background: Frontline healthcare workers responding to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) inevitably face tremendous psychological burden. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the psychological impact and the factors contributing to the likely increase in emotional distress of healthcare workers.
Methods: The participants include a total of 99 healthcare workers at Bugok National Hospital. Psychometric scales were used to assess emotional distress (12-item General Health Questionnaire; GHQ-12), depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ9), and post-traumatic stress disorder-related symptoms (Impact of Events Scale-Revised; IES-R). A supplementary questionnaire was administered to investigate the experience of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19-infected patients. Based on the results of GHQ12 survey, participants were categorized into two groups: distress and non-distress. All the assessed scores were compared between the two groups. A logistic regression model was constructed to identify factors associated with emotional distress.
Results: Emotional distress was reported by 45.3% (n = 45) of all participants. The emotionally distressed group was more likely to be female, manage close contacts, have higher scores on PHQ-9 and IES-R, feel increased professional risk, and report that proper infection control training was not provided. Female gender, managing close contacts, higher scores on PHQ-9, and a feeling that proper infection control training was not provided were associated with emotional distress in logistic regression.
Conclusion: Frontline healthcare workers face tremendous psychological burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, appropriate psychological interventions should be provided to the HCWs engaged in the management of COVID-19-infected patients.
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