Overview
The current COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than 3 million people worldwide across more than 200 countries.
In the United Kingdom alone, at the end of April, there were almost 160,000 confirmed cases with more than 20,000 deaths. This has undoubtedly had significant physical and economical impact on the public.
Healthcare workers are at high risk of developing life-threatening infectious diseases with increased exposure to patients' blood and bodily fluids. As such, health care workers arguably experience heightened anxiety and are predisposed to greater negative psycho-social impact from the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the physical and psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers. This will be performed in two phases.
In phase 1, investigators will collect information to evaluate the current psychiatric symptom profile (in particular, screening for anxiety or depression related symptoms), alcohol use, sleep-related complaints and overall well-being among healthcare workers who participate in this survey (with a focus on junior doctors). In addition the association of these mental health and behavioural parameters with the prevalence of stressful occasions, such as long-hours, unpredictability of work / redeployment, availability of personal protection equipment and concerns regarding family/relationship and self will be assessed.
In phase 2, investigators will then reassess for the development or progression of psychiatric symptoms, use of alcohol and other substances, behavioural or interpersonal relationship changes as well as physical well-being at 6 weeks and 4- months. Physical well-being is assessed through the presence of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection and absence from work. Specifically, investigators will study the impact of variable provision of personal protection equipment (supply and training), extended working hours, and concern for well-being of family members, on work morale and anxiety levels.
Another aim is also study the longer term mental health consequences of the current pandemic on health care workers.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Aged >=18
- Electronic consent
- Either:
a - healthcare workers in contact with patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 b - Healthcare staff not having direct patient contact c - Non-healthcare academic staff with no direct patient contact
Exclusion Criteria:
- Age<18
- Individuals not belonging to the 3 cohorts of interest listed in the inclusion criteria.
- Those who are not able to understand written English will be excluded, indeed by the design and methodology of the study, as the study invite and all other information provided is in English.