Emotional Distress of the COVID-19 Cluster Infection on Health Care Workers Working at a National Hospital in Korea
10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e324
- Author:
Og-Jin JANG
1
;
Young-In CHUNG
;
Jae-Woon LEE
;
Ho-Chan KIM
;
Jeong Seok SEO
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Bugok National Hospital, Changnyeong, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2021;36(47):e324-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
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; PHQ-9), 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 GHQ-12 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.
