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Longitudinal Study Comparing Mental Health Outcomes in Frontline Emergency Department Healthcare Workers through the Different Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Francesca Th’ng

    (Acute & Emergency Care Department, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore 768828, Singapore)

  • Kailing Adriel Rao

    (Acute & Emergency Care Department, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore 768828, Singapore)

  • Lixia Ge

    (Health Services and Outcomes Research, National Healthcare Group, 3 Fusionopolis Link, Singapore 138543, Singapore)

  • Hwee Nah Neo

    (Acute & Emergency Care Department, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore 768828, Singapore)

  • Joseph Antonio De Molina

    (Health Services and Outcomes Research, National Healthcare Group, 3 Fusionopolis Link, Singapore 138543, Singapore)

  • Wei Yang Lim

    (School of Medicine, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91TK33, Ireland)

  • Desmond Mao

    (Acute & Emergency Care Department, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore 768828, Singapore)

Abstract

As countries transition from the COVID-19 pandemic to endemic status, healthcare systems continue to be under pressure. We aimed to quantify changes in depression, anxiety, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) between 3 cohorts (2020, 2021 and 2022) of our Emergency Department (ED) healthcare workers (HCWs) and those who had worked through all 3 phases of the pandemic; and identify factors associated with poorer mental health outcomes (MHOs). In this longitudinal single-centre study in Singapore, three surveys were carried out yearly (2020, 2021 and 2022) since the COVID-19 outbreak. Depression, anxiety and stress were measured using DASS-21, and PTSD was measured using IES-R. A total of 327 HCWs (90.1%) participated in 2020, 279 (71.5%) in 2021 and 397 (92.8%) in 2022. In 2022, ED HCWs had greater concerns about workload (Mean score ± SD: 2022: 4.81 ± 0.86, vs. 2021: 4.37 ± 0.89, vs. 2020: 4.04 ± 0.97) and perceived to have less workplace support (2022: 4.48 ± 0.76, vs. 2021: 4.66 ± 0.70, vs. 2020: 4.80 ± 0.69). There was overall worsening depression (27.5% in 2020, 29.7% in 2021 and 32.2% in 2022) and stress (12.2% in 2020, 14.0% in 2021 and 17.4% in 2022). Healthcare assistants as a subgroup had improving MHOs. ED HCWs who were female and had psychiatric history, were living with the elderly, and had concerns about their working environment, workload and infection had poorer MHOs. This study will guide us in refining existing and devising more focused interventions to further support our ED HCWs’ wellbeing.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Th’ng & Kailing Adriel Rao & Lixia Ge & Hwee Nah Neo & Joseph Antonio De Molina & Wei Yang Lim & Desmond Mao, 2022. "Longitudinal Study Comparing Mental Health Outcomes in Frontline Emergency Department Healthcare Workers through the Different Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-27, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16878-:d:1004797
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Francesca Th’ng & Kailing Adriel Rao & Lixia Ge & Desmond Mao & Hwee Nah Neo & Joseph Antonio De Molina & Eillyne Seow, 2021. "A One-Year Longitudinal Study: Changes in Depression and Anxiety in Frontline Emergency Department Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-21, October.
    2. Teh-Kuang Sun & Li-Chuan Chu & Chun Hui, 2022. "The Psychological Impact and Influencing Factors during Different Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in Central Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Irene Teo & Gayathri Devi Nadarajan & Sean Ng & Adithya Bhaskar & Sharon C. Sung & Yin Bun Cheung & Fang Ting Pan & Ali Haedar & Faith Joan Gaerlan & Sheue Fen Ong & Sattha Riyapan & Son Ngoc Do & Chi, 2022. "The Psychological Well-Being of Southeast Asian Frontline Healthcare Workers during COVID-19: A Multi-Country Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, May.
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