INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of patients worldwide Focus has been mostly on patient outcomes during this international healthcare emergency However, healthcare workers taking care of these affected patients, themselves are faced with significant impact on their mental health The aim of the study was to identify the extent of psychological impact of COVID-19 disease in terms of depression and anxiety levels among healthcare workers as well as to identify any associated contributing factors METHODS: After obtaining IRB approval, Survery Monkey was used to send questionnaire to the healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, therapists) currently practicing in a South Texas metropolitan area Depression levels were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale Anxiety levels were assessed using General Anxiety Disorder Assessment form (GAD-7) scale RESULTS: In total, 636 people responded to the survey (Male:Female=1:5 3) Study subjects included 56 physicians (8 8%), 208 nurses (32 8%) and 13 therapists (2 0%) Of the 369 people who answered the PHQ-9 scale, 29 people (4 5%) were found to have moderate or severe depression Of the 598 people who answered the GAD-7 scale, 68 (10 69%) were found to have moderate or severe anxiety Associations with PHQ-9 scores&gt;10 were younger age (p=0 004), unmarried status (p=0 009), previous psychiatric illness (p=0 005), psychiatric medication usage (p=0 03), less than 6 hours of sleep (p=0 001), concern for COVID-19 affecting mental health (p=10 were perceived health status (p=0 007), less than 6 hours of sleep (&lt;0 001), concern for COVID-19 affecting mental health (p=&lt;0 001) 137 and 97 of the respondents stated that time spent with family and exercise had a positive effect on their mental health respectively Work related stress and isolation were mentioned by 118 and 78 of the participants as factors that negatively impacted their mental health CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified significant levels of anxiety and depression among the healthcare workers caring during the COVID 19 pandemic (10 69% and 4 5% respectively) In addition, family and exercise had a positive perceived effect on the mental health during this COVID season while a change in work and isolation affected them negatively
Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers