Feeling Informed and Safe Are Important Factors in the Psychosomatic Health of Frontline Workers in the Health Sector during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Austria

Melanie Lenger, Alexander Maget (), Nina Dalkner, Jorgos N. Lang, Frederike T. Fellendorf, Michaela Ratzenhofer, Elena Schönthaler, Eva Fleischmann, Armin Birner, Susanne A. Bengesser, Robert Queissner, Martina Platzer, Adelina Tmava-Berisha, Robert M. Trojak and Eva Z. Reininghaus
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Melanie Lenger: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Alexander Maget: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Nina Dalkner: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Jorgos N. Lang: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Frederike T. Fellendorf: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Michaela Ratzenhofer: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Elena Schönthaler: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Eva Fleischmann: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Armin Birner: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Susanne A. Bengesser: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Robert Queissner: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Martina Platzer: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Adelina Tmava-Berisha: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Robert M. Trojak: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
Eva Z. Reininghaus: Clinical Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: The global spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created new challenges for the entire healthcare system, and those who work directly with the patients or even on the front lines with COVID-19 patients have been particularly stressed. Only a few studies are currently available investigating psychosomatic symptoms among healthcare workers, particularly frontline workers, over the entire pandemic period (2020–2022). There is also a lack of knowledge about strategies to prevent stress during and after a health crisis. Methods: An online survey was conducted at three times (April 2020, winter 2020/2021, and winter 2021/2022) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria. The sample included 160 healthcare workers at screening time 1, 1.361 healthcare workers at screening time 2, and 1.134 healthcare workers at screening time 3. The survey included COVID-19 work-related fears, satisfaction with the frontline work, and standardized inventories to assess psychosomatic symptoms, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-D). Results: Psychosomatic symptoms were more common among women compared to men, and among frontline workers compared to non-frontline workers, especially during the course of the pandemic at t2 and t3. Self-reported scores of COVID-19 work-related fears were significantly associated with psychosomatic symptoms. Furthermore, in frontline workers, there was a significant association between the feeling of being safe and well-informed and psychosomatic symptoms. Conclusion: COVID-19 work-related fears and psychosomatic symptoms have been prevalent among healthcare workers throughout the pandemic. Feeling safe and informed appears to be essential to prevent psychosomatic symptoms, leading to a recommendation for employers in the healthcare sector to focus on communication and information. As frontline workers are especially prone to psychosomatic symptoms, more stress prevention programs for them will be essential to maintain productivity and reduce sick days and fluctuations in the healthcare system.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; psychosomatic; worker in the health sector; stress; frontline workers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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