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

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah L. McGuinness

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
    Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Josphin Johnson

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
    Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Owen Eades

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
    Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Peter A. Cameron

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
    Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, 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
    Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Peter Hunter

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
    Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, 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
    Cabrini Health, Melbourne, VIC 3144, 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
    The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, 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
    Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, VIC 3108, Australia)

  • Rhonda L. Stuart

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
    Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia)

  • Helena J. Teede

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
    Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC 3168, 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
    Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Sophia Zoungas

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
    Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Karin Leder

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
    Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3050, Australia)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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, 2022. "Mental Health Outcomes in Australian Healthcare and Aged-Care Workers during the Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:4951-:d:797154
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kenward, Michael G. & Roger, James H., 2009. "An improved approximation to the precision of fixed effects from restricted maximum likelihood," Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 53(7), pages 2583-2595, May.
    2. Robert Stanton & Quyen G. To & Saman Khalesi & Susan L. Williams & Stephanie J. Alley & Tanya L. Thwaite & Andrew S. Fenning & Corneel Vandelanotte, 2020. "Depression, Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: Associations with Changes in Physical Activity, Sleep, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Australian Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-13, June.
    3. Gabriele Giorgi & Luigi Isaia Lecca & Federico Alessio & Georgia Libera Finstad & Giorgia Bondanini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2020. "COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-22, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mark McEvoy & Gabriel Caccaviello & Angela Crombie & Timothy Skinner & Stephen J. Begg & Peter Faulkner & Anne McEvoy & Kevin Masman & Laura Bamforth & Carol Parker & Evan Stanyer & Amanda Collings & , 2024. "Health and Wellbeing of Regional and Rural Australian Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Baseline Cross-Sectional Findings from the Loddon Mallee Healthcare Worker COVID-19 Study—A Prosp," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-30, May.
    2. Mojca Dobnik & Mateja Lorber, 2023. "Management Support for Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health and Burnout during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cohort Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-15, August.

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