[Intensive Care Nurses, Psychological Disorders and COVID-19. The COVID IMPACT NATIONAL STUDY]

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Psychology
• Epidemiology

Context:

• The COVID-19 pandemic placed immense strain on hospital systems globally.
• Front-line healthcare workers, particularly nurses, experienced heightened exposure to the virus and increased psychological risks.

Purpose:

• To determine the prevalence of psychological disorders among nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify risk factors associated with psychological distress in this population.

Summary:

• A national survey of 381 healthcare professionals, including nurses, was conducted using an electronic questionnaire between June and July 2020.
• The study utilized the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Impact Event Scale Revisited to assess anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Operating room nurses reported the highest prevalence of anxiety (64%), depression (45%), and PTSD (45%), while ICU nurses reported lower rates (30%, 11%, 20% respectively).

Impact:

• Identified low ICU training, lack of volunteer status for ICU work, and a history of burnout as key risk factors for psychological disorders.
• Highlights the need for targeted prevention strategies, including enhanced staff training and psychological support systems for healthcare professionals in high-risk settings.
• Provides a profile of at-risk professionals, informing future interventions to mitigate the psychological impact of pandemics on healthcare staff.