Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Health Care Personnel in Norwegian ICUs during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic, a Prospective, Observational Cross-Sectional Study

Siv Karlsson Stafseth, Laila Skogstad, Johan Ræder, Ingvild Strand Hovland, Haakon Hovde, Øivind Ekeberg and Irene Lie
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Siv Karlsson Stafseth: Department of Postoperative and Intensive Care, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
Laila Skogstad: Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
Johan Ræder: Department of Anaesthesiology, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
Ingvild Strand Hovland: Department of Acute Medicine, Division of Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
Haakon Hovde: The Norwegian Association for Critical Care Nurses, 0152 Oslo, Norway
Øivind Ekeberg: Psychosomatic and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
Irene Lie: Centre for Patient-Centered Heart and Lung Research, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 12, 1-15

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has induced demanding work situations in intensive care units (ICU). The objective of our study was to survey psychological reactions, the disturbance of social life, work effort, and support in ICU nurses, physicians, and leaders. Methods: From May to July 2020, this cross-sectional study included 484 ICU professionals from 27 hospitals throughout Norway. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured on Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 (HSCL-10). Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were measured on the PCL-5. Results: The study population were highly educated and experienced professionals, well prepared for working with COVID-ICU patients. However, 53% felt socially isolated and 67% reported a fear of infecting others. Probable cases of anxiety and depression were found in 12.5% of the registered nurses, 11.6% of the physicians, and 4.1% of the leaders. Younger age and <5 years previous work experiences were predictors for high HSCL-10 scores. Reported symptom-defined PTSD for nurses 7.1%; the leaders, 4.1%; and 2.3% of physicians. Conclusions: ICU health care professionals experienced talking with colleagues as the most helpful source of support. The COVID-ICU leaders reported a significantly higher mean score than physicians and nurses in terms of pushing themselves toward producing high work effort.

Keywords: COVID-19; intensive care units; health personnel; anxiety; depression; stress disorder; PTSD; social interaction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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