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Occupational Disruptions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Association with Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health

Author

Listed:
  • Natasha Smallwood

    (Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Prahran, VIC 3004, Australia
    Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Amy Pascoe

    (Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Leila Karimi

    (School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
    School of Medicine and Healthcare Management, Caucasus University, Tbilisi 0102, Georgia)

  • Marie Bismark

    (Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan St, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
    Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia)

  • Karen Willis

    (College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Footscray, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia
    Division of Critical Care and Investigative Services, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 crisis has caused prolonged and extreme demands on healthcare services. This study investigates the types and prevalence of occupational disruptions, and associated symptoms of mental illness, among Australian frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A national cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020. Frontline healthcare workers were invited to participate via dissemination from major health organisations, professional associations or colleges, universities, government contacts, and national media. Data were collected on demographics, home and work situations, and validated scales of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and burnout. Results: Complete responses were received from 7846 healthcare workers (82.4%). Most respondents were female (80.9%) and resided in the Australian state of Victoria (85.2%). Changes to working conditions were common, with 48.5% reporting altered paid or unpaid hours, and many redeployed (16.8%) or changing work roles (27.3%). Nearly a third (30.8%) had experienced a reduction in household income during the pandemic. Symptoms of mental illness were common, being present in 62.1% of participants. Many respondents felt well supported by their workplaces (68.3%) and believed that workplace communication was timely and useful (74.4%). Participants who felt well supported by their organisation had approximately half the risk of experiencing moderate to severe anxiety, depression, burnout, and PTSD. Half (50.4%) of respondents indicated a need for additional training in using personal protective equipment and/or caring for patients with COVID-19. Conclusions: Occupational disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic occurred commonly in health organisations and were associated with worse mental health outcomes in the Australian health workforce. Feeling well supported was associated with significantly fewer adverse mental health outcomes. Crisis preparedness focusing on the provision of timely and useful communication and support is essential in current and future crises.

Suggested Citation

  • Natasha Smallwood & Amy Pascoe & Leila Karimi & Marie Bismark & Karen Willis, 2021. "Occupational Disruptions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Association with Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9263-:d:627740
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stella E. Hines & Katherine H. Chin & Danielle R. Glick & Emerson M. Wickwire, 2021. "Trends in Moral Injury, Distress, and Resilience Factors among Healthcare Workers at the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-11, January.
    2. Amalia De Leo & Eloisa Cianci & Paolo Mastore & Caterina Gozzoli, 2021. "Protective and Risk Factors of Italian Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Paula Tibandebage & Tausi Kida & Maureen Mackintosh & Joyce Ikingura, 2016. "Can managers empower nurse-midwives to improve maternal health care? A comparison of two resource-poor hospitals in Tanzania," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 379-395, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jonathan Tran & Karen Willis & Margaret Kay & Kathryn Hutt & Natasha Smallwood, 2022. "The Workplace and Psychosocial Experiences of Australian Senior Doctors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Amy Pascoe & Eldho Paul & Douglas Johnson & Mark Putland & Karen Willis & Natasha Smallwood, 2021. "Differences in Coping Strategies and Help-Seeking Behaviours among Australian Junior and Senior Doctors during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Katherine Petrie & Natasha Smallwood & Amy Pascoe & Karen Willis, 2022. "Mental Health Symptoms and Workplace Challenges among Australian Paramedics during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-15, January.
    4. David Lucas & Sandrine Brient & Tanguy Le Grand & Jean-Dominique Dewitte & Brice Loddé & Richard Pougnet & Bisi Moriamo Eveillard, 2022. "Evolution of Global Health and Psychosocial Factors among Hospital Workers during First Year of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-11, November.
    5. Oliver S. Holmes & Steven Ellen & Natasha Smallwood & Karen Willis & Clare Delaney & Leon J. Worth & Shelley Dolan & Lisa Dunlop & Geraldine McDonald & Leila Karimi & Megan Rees & Maria Ftanou, 2023. "The Psychological and Wellbeing Impacts of Quarantine on Frontline Workers during COVID-19 and Beyond," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-11, May.
    6. Karen Willis & Paulina Ezer & Sophie Lewis & Marie Bismark & Natasha Smallwood, 2021. "“Covid Just Amplified the Cracks of the System”: Working as a Frontline Health Worker during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, September.

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