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A One-Year Longitudinal Study: Changes in Depression and Anxiety in Frontline Emergency Department Healthcare Workers in 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)

  • Desmond Mao

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

  • Eillyne Seow

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

Abstract

Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) fighting COVID-19 have been associated with depression and anxiety, but there is limited data to illustrate these changes over time. We aim to quantify the changes in depression and anxiety amongst Emergency Department (ED) HCWs over one year and examine the factors associated with these changes. In this longitudinal single-centre study in Singapore, all ED HCWs were prospectively recruited face-to-face. Paper-based surveys were administered in June 2020 and June 2021. Depression and anxiety were measured using DASS-21. The results of 241 HCWs who had completed both surveys were matched. There was significant improvement in anxiety amongst all HCWs (Mean: 2020: 2.85 (±3.19) vs. 2021: 2.54 (±3.11); Median: 2020: 2 (0–4) vs. 2021: 2 (0–4), p = 0.045). HCWs living with elderly and with concerns about infection risk had higher odds of anxiety; those living with young children had lower odds of anxiety. There was significant worsening depression amongst doctors (Mean: 2020: 2.71 (±4.18) vs. 2021: 3.60 (±4.50); Median: 2020: 1 (0–3) vs. 2021: 3 (0–5), p = 0.018). HCWs ≥ 41 years, living with elderly and with greater concerns about workload had higher odds of depression. HCWs who perceived better workplace support and better social connectedness had lower odds of depression. In summary, our study showed significant improvement in anxiety amongst ED HCWs and significant worsening depression amongst ED doctors over one year. Age, living with elderly, and concerns about workload and infection risk were associated with higher odds of depression and anxiety.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11228-:d:664967
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amira Mohammed Ali & Abdulmajeed A. Alkhamees & Hiroaki Hori & Yoshiharu Kim & Hiroshi Kunugi, 2021. "The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21: Development and Validation of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-Item in Psychiatric Patients and the General Public for Easier Mental Health Measurement in ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Kavita Batra & Tejinder Pal Singh & Manoj Sharma & Ravi Batra & Nena Schvaneveldt, 2020. "Investigating the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-33, December.
    3. Qian Hui Chew & Faith Li-Ann Chia & Wee Khoon Ng & Wan Cheong Ivan Lee & Pei Lin Lynnette Tan & Chen Seong Wong & Ser Hon Puah & Vishalkumar G. Shelat & Ee-Jin Darren Seah & Cheong Wei Terence Huey & , 2020. "Perceived Stress, Stigma, Traumatic Stress Levels and Coping Responses amongst Residents in Training across Multiple Specialties during COVID-19 Pandemic—A Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Clara Maestre-Miquel & Francisco Martín-Rodríguez & Carlos Durantez-Fernández & José L. Martín-Conty & Antonio Viñuela & Begoña Polonio-López & Carmen Romo-Barrientos & Juan José Criado-Álvarez & Fran, 2022. "Gender Differences in Anxiety, Attitudes, and Fear among Nursing Undergraduates Coping with CPR Training with PPE Kit for COVID," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-11, November.
    2. 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.
    3. Antonio Lasalvia & Luca Bodini & Francesco Amaddeo & Stefano Porru & Angela Carta & Ranieri Poli & Chiara Bonetto, 2021. "The Sustained Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Care Workers One Year after the Outbreak—A Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey in a Tertiary Hospital of North-East Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-21, December.

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