Mental Health Outcomes in Australian Healthcare and Aged-Care Workers during the Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sarah L. McGuinness, Josphin Johnson, Owen Eades, Peter A. Cameron, Andrew Forbes, Jane Fisher, Kelsey Grantham, Carol Hodgson, Peter Hunter, Jessica Kasza, Helen L. Kelsall, Maggie Kirkman, Grant Russell, Philip L. Russo, Malcolm R. Sim, Kasha P. Singh, Helen Skouteris, Karen L. Smith, Rhonda L. Stuart, Helena J. Teede, James M. Trauer, Andrew Udy, Sophia Zoungas and Karin Leder
Additional contact information
Sarah L. McGuinness: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Josphin Johnson: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Owen Eades: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Peter A. Cameron: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Andrew Forbes: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Jane Fisher: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Kelsey Grantham: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Carol Hodgson: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Peter Hunter: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Jessica Kasza: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Helen L. Kelsall: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Maggie Kirkman: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Grant Russell: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Philip L. Russo: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Malcolm R. Sim: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Kasha P. Singh: Peninsula Health, Melbourne, VIC 3199, Australia
Helen Skouteris: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Karen L. Smith: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Rhonda L. Stuart: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Helena J. Teede: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
James M. Trauer: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Andrew Udy: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Sophia Zoungas: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Karin Leder: School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: Objective: the COVID-19 pandemic has incurred psychological risks for healthcare workers (HCWs). We established a Victorian HCW cohort (the Coronavirus in Victorian Healthcare and Aged-Care Workers (COVIC-HA) cohort study) to examine COVID-19 impacts on HCWs and assess organisational responses over time. Methods: mixed-methods cohort study, with baseline data collected via an online survey (7 May–18 July 2021) across four healthcare settings: ambulance, hospitals, primary care, and residential aged-care. Outcomes included self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress (PTS), wellbeing, burnout, and resilience, measured using validated tools. Work and home-related COVID-19 impacts and perceptions of workplace responses were also captured. Results: among 984 HCWs, symptoms of clinically significant depression, anxiety, and PTS were reported by 22.5%, 14.0%, and 20.4%, respectively, highest among paramedics and nurses. Emotional exhaustion reflecting moderate–severe burnout was reported by 65.1%. Concerns about contracting COVID-19 at work and transmitting COVID-19 were common, but 91.2% felt well-informed on workplace changes and 78.3% reported that support services were available. Conclusions: Australian HCWs employed during 2021 experienced adverse mental health outcomes, with prevalence differences observed according to occupation. Longitudinal evidence is needed to inform workplace strategies that support the physical and mental wellbeing of HCWs at organisational and state policy levels.

Keywords: COVID-19; psychological disorders; healthcare workers; occupational health; infectious diseases epidemiology (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 (2)

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