Abstract 1572P
Background
Between 13 March 2020 – date of national lockdown and passing to a third level national alert- and 11 May –first day of progressive release- confirmed cases rose from 24 to 1035 cases 46 deaths. Knowing that oncology health workers are treating cancer patients who have a higher risk of complication due to COVID-19, strict measures were applied. Understanding the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak among health care workers is crucial in guiding policies and interventions to maintain their psychological well-being.
Methods
Health care workers in oncology were invited to participate with a self-administered questionnaire. In addition to information on demographic characteristics and medical history, the questionnaire included the validated Patient Health Questionnaire -9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Insomnia Severity Index.
Results
Of 100 health workers invited, 48 (48%) participated in the study; baseline characteristics are shown in the Table. Eleven (22.9%) participants screened positive for anxiety, 37 (77.1%) for mild to moderately severe depression, 7 (14.6%) for severe depression, noting that 14 (29.3%) are at risk of self-harm at least on several days. 15(31.3%) participants are suffering from clinical insomnia and one (2.1%) from severe insomnia.The prevalence of depression was higher among nonmedical health care workers than medical personnel (76.2% versus 44.4% moderate to severe depression). Similarly, higher anxiety level were amongst paramedical staff (38.1% versus 11.1% for medical staff). 16 Participants (33.4%) suffer from clinical insomnia with higher numbers among non-medical staff (42.9% versus 25.9% for medical staff). Table: 1572P
| Sex n(%): F/M: 37(77.1)/ 11(22.9) | |
| Age: 35.33 | |
| Status n(%) | |
| Married | 31(64.6) |
| Single | 16(33.3) |
| Divorced or widowed | 1(2.1) |
| Profession n(%) | |
| Medical staff | 27(56.3) |
| Paramedical-staff | 21(43.8) |
| PHQ-9 Score | |
| No depression | 4(8.3) |
| Mild depression | 16(33.3) |
| Moderate depression | 12(25) |
| Moderately severe depression | 9(18.8) |
| Severe depression | 7(14.6) |
| Doyou think about harming yourself in anyway these last weeks n(%) | |
| No | 34(70.8) |
| Several Days | 9(18.8) |
| More than half the days | 3(6.3) |
| Nearly everyday | 2(4.2) |
| GAD7item n(%) | |
| Minimal anxiety | 37(77.1) |
| Significant anxiety | 11(22.9) |
| ISI n(%) | |
| No insomnia | 10(20.8) |
| Subclinical insomnia | 22(45.8) |
| Moderate clinical insomnia | 15(31.3) |
| Severe clinical insomnia | 1(2.1) |
Conclusions
As the pandemic continues, important clinical and policy strategies are needed to support health care workers. Our study identified a vulnerable group susceptible to psychological distress. Early psychological intervention for this target group may be beneficial.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.