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Healthcare Workers after Two Years of COVID-19: The Consequences of the Pandemic on Psychological Health and Sleep among Nurses and Physicians

Author

Listed:
  • Valentina Alfonsi

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Serena Scarpelli

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Maurizio Gorgoni

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
    IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessandro Couyoumdjian

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Francesco Rosiello

    (Internal Medicine Department, Ospedale dei Castelli, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Roma 6, Ariccia, 00040 Rome, Italy)

  • Cinzia Sandroni

    (UOC Professione Infermieristica, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Roma 6, Albano, 00041 Rome, Italy)

  • Roberto Corsi

    (Direzione Sanitaria Aziendale, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Roma 6, Albano, 00041 Rome, Italy)

  • Filomena Pietrantonio

    (Internal Medicine Department, Ospedale dei Castelli, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Roma 6, Ariccia, 00040 Rome, Italy
    Department of Health Economics, St. Camillus International University of Health Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Luigi De Gennaro

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
    IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

COVID-19 has challenged the health workforce worldwide. In this cross-sectional study with a retrospective assessment, we explored the impact of the pandemic on mental health and sleep among a sample of Italian nurses and medical doctors. A total of 287 healthcare workers (212 nurses and 75 physicians) completed a web survey on socio-demographic, psychological, and sleep-related aspects referring to the period before the pandemic and to the present period of February to June 2022. Comparisons between nurses and physicians revealed that the former had greater distress in response to the pandemic. Consistently, the multivariate analysis of covariance showed that even if both groups were negatively impacted by the pandemic, nurses presented a greater worsening over time regarding several psychological and sleep symptoms. Furthermore, we observed that working on the frontline represented an additional risk factor for nurses. In line with previous evidence, we also found that personal experiences with COVID-19 are significant predictors of the current health status. Our results underscore the urgent need for preventive programs among healthcare operators to increase their coping skills and prevent the long-term consequences of chronic stress, especially for high-risk professionals. Specific attention should also be devoted to programs to improve sleep quality and reduce sleep-related traumatic symptoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Valentina Alfonsi & Serena Scarpelli & Maurizio Gorgoni & Alessandro Couyoumdjian & Francesco Rosiello & Cinzia Sandroni & Roberto Corsi & Filomena Pietrantonio & Luigi De Gennaro, 2023. "Healthcare Workers after Two Years of COVID-19: The Consequences of the Pandemic on Psychological Health and Sleep among Nurses and Physicians," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1410-:d:1033696
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hugo Rodrigues & Ricardo Cobucci & Antônio Oliveira & João Victor Cabral & Leany Medeiros & Karen Gurgel & Tházio Souza & Ana Katherine Gonçalves, 2018. "Burnout syndrome among medical residents: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-17, November.
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    4. Filomena Pietrantonio & Francesco Rosiello & Elena Alessi & Matteo Pascucci & Marianna Rainone & Enrica Cipriano & Alessandra Di Berardino & Antonio Vinci & Matteo Ruggeri & Serafino Ricci, 2021. "Burden of COVID-19 on Italian Internal Medicine Wards: Delphi, SWOT, and Performance Analysis after Two Pandemic Waves in the Local Health Authority “Roma 6” Hospital Structures," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard Yunxi Zuo & Lanye Wang, 2023. "A study of Factors Influencing Psychological Stress Among Health Care Workers Providing Palliative and Hospice Care in Nursing Department," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 26(1), pages 95-102.

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