Introduction: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) suffer from persistent psychophysical fatigue after being exposed to the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), which can lead to emotional distress and burnout. This study aimed to assess healthcare professional’s psychophysical exhaustion, to explore the factors influencing work-related stress and to identify the protective factors in the workplace. Methods: 1,191 HCPs (23.1% male, 76.9% female), working in hospitals of ASST Garda (Northern Italy), in the first period of full coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), were asked to complete the self- administered questionnaire. The mixed method (QN + QL) was employed for collecting and analyzing the data. Results: A high level of psychophysical fatigue was discovered, especially in the Covid wards. It was found that the two senior work groups with 15-19 and 20-24 years of experience, were particularly vulnerable in terms of psychophysical fatigue and mental health. From the qualitative data analysis, three core categories emerged: work, health and personal factors, which described the specific factors, both in terms of main difficulties and factors that induced the HCP's psychophysical exhaustion during the first period of the health emergency. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected mental health of HCPs caring for Covid-19 infected patients, leading to increased levels of stress and burnout, due to work overload and fear of contamination. There is a need to promote psychological well-being and support for healthcare professionals. Policy and sector managers should promptly organize psychological support services to deal with the problems that emerged from the investigation.

Introduzione: Gli operatori sanitari esposti all'epidemia da coronavirus Covid-19 soffrono di un affaticamento psicofisico persistente, che può portare ad esaurimento emotivo e a burnout. Questo studio mira ad analizzare i livelli di esaurimento psicofisico dei professionisti della salute, ad esplorare i fattori che causano lo stress lavoro correlato e ad identificare i fattori protettivi nei confronti del malessere psicologico sul posto di lavoro. Metodi: L’indagine è stata effettuata durante l’estate di 2020, in piena pandemia Covid-19. Un gruppo di 1.191 operatori sanitari (23,1% maschi, 76,9% femmine), operanti negli ospedali di ASST Garda (porzione sudorientale della Provincia di Brescia), è stato invitato a compilare il questionario quali-quantitativo. L'analisi dei dati è stata realizzata con il metodo misto (QN + QL). Risultati: È stato individuato un alto livello di affaticamento psicofisico, soprattutto nei reparti Covid-19. È stato riscontrato che i due gruppi di lavoro con 15-19 e 20-24 anni di esperienza, risultavano particolarmente vulnerabili in termini di fatica psicofisica e salute mentale. Dall'analisi qualitativa dei dati sono emersi tre gruppi di fattori che descrivono le principali difficoltà nei reparti ospedalieri e le cause dell’esaurimento psicofisico degli operatori sanitari durante il primo periodo dell’emergenza da Covid-19: fattore lavoro, fattore salute e fattori personali. Conclusioni: I risultati rilevano che la pandemia da Covid-19 ha influenzato negativamente la salute mentale degli operatori sanitari in stretto contatto con i pazienti, portando ad elevati livelli di stress e stanchezza psicofisica. Le principali cause sono il sovraccarico di lavoro e la paura della contaminazione. Si segnala un’impellente necessità di sostenere gli operatori sanitari e di promuovere il loro benessere psicologico. La politica e i responsabili del settore dovrebbero organizzarre tempestivamente i servizi di supporto psicologico per far fronte alle problematiche emerse dall’indagine.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout and mental well-being of healthcare workers at Lago di Garda hospitals, Northern Italy

Bonometti Stefano
;
2021-01-01

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) suffer from persistent psychophysical fatigue after being exposed to the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), which can lead to emotional distress and burnout. This study aimed to assess healthcare professional’s psychophysical exhaustion, to explore the factors influencing work-related stress and to identify the protective factors in the workplace. Methods: 1,191 HCPs (23.1% male, 76.9% female), working in hospitals of ASST Garda (Northern Italy), in the first period of full coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), were asked to complete the self- administered questionnaire. The mixed method (QN + QL) was employed for collecting and analyzing the data. Results: A high level of psychophysical fatigue was discovered, especially in the Covid wards. It was found that the two senior work groups with 15-19 and 20-24 years of experience, were particularly vulnerable in terms of psychophysical fatigue and mental health. From the qualitative data analysis, three core categories emerged: work, health and personal factors, which described the specific factors, both in terms of main difficulties and factors that induced the HCP's psychophysical exhaustion during the first period of the health emergency. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected mental health of HCPs caring for Covid-19 infected patients, leading to increased levels of stress and burnout, due to work overload and fear of contamination. There is a need to promote psychological well-being and support for healthcare professionals. Policy and sector managers should promptly organize psychological support services to deal with the problems that emerged from the investigation.
2021
2022
https://aipmel.it/gipmel-gli-obiettivi-della-rivista-aims-and-scope/
Covid-19; burnout syndrome; healthcare professionals; occupational health psychology; work-related stress; coping; SARS-CoV-2.
Bonometti, Stefano; Szadejko, Krzysztof; Scarcella, Carmelo; Fioravanzo Rita, Erica; Livia, Cadei; Rossella, Goglioni; Simonetta, Bettinanzzi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11383/2134869
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