CORONAcrisis—An Observational Study on the Experience of Healthcare Professionals in a University Hospital during a Pandemic Emergency

Teresa Matarazzo, Francesca Bravi, Giorgia Valpiani, Chiara Morotti, Francesca Martino, Sandra Bombardi, Michela Bozzolan, Elda Longhitano, Paola Bardasi, Roberto De Vogli and Tiziano Carradori
Additional contact information
Teresa Matarazzo: Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, S. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
Francesca Bravi: Santa Maria Delle Croci Hospital, 48121 Ravenna, Italy
Giorgia Valpiani: Research Innovation Quality and Accreditation Unit, S. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
Chiara Morotti: Research Innovation Quality and Accreditation Unit, S. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
Francesca Martino: Mental Health Center, Local Health Unit of Bologna, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Sandra Bombardi: Research Innovation Quality and Accreditation Unit, S. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
Michela Bozzolan: Training and Updating Unit, S. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Elda Longhitano: General and Healthcare Administration, S. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
Paola Bardasi: General and Healthcare Administration, S. Anna University Hospital of Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
Roberto De Vogli: Human Rights Centre, Department of Social Psychology and Development, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Tiziano Carradori: Local Health Unit of Romagna, General Directorate, 48121 Ravenna, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to affect millions worldwide and has posed unique challenges to healthcare professionals. Caring for patients during a pandemic may have negative impacts on their mental health. We describe the first part of a study using a mixed-method sequential explanatory design (QUANT?QUAL). This quantitative part examines the experiences of healthcare professionals during the pandemic in a University Hospital in Italy. We performed a cross-sectional hospital-based survey involving all healthcare professionals between 19 May 2020 and 3 June 2020. Perceived Stress Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, and General Anxiety Disorder scores were calculated, in order to assess how the pandemic emergency changed the occupational and social habits of the healthcare professionals. The mean age of the 275 respondents was 47 years and females accounted for 80.2%. A total of 29.8% had a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score ?25, 22.9% scored ?15 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale, and 17.1% scored ?15 on the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) scale. Stress symptoms were mostly manifested for interviewees over 55, females, those who live far from their family, those who have only one child, and those who had a qualification lower than high school or who had a medical specialization. Our findings show a relevant level of psychological distress, anxiety, and depression in up to 30% of the sample, highlighting a significant psychological burden in all professionals.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic emergency; healthcare professionals; stress disorders; mental health; mixed-method sequential explanatory design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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