TY - JOUR
T1 - Symptoms of Anxiety, Burnout, and PTSD and the Mitigation Effect of Serologic Testing in Emergency Department Personnel During the COVID-19 Pandemic
AU - Project COVERED Emergency Department Network
AU - Rodriguez, Robert M.
AU - Montoy, Juan Carlos C.
AU - Hoth, Karin F.
AU - Talan, David A.
AU - Harland, Karisa K.
AU - Eyck, Patrick Ten
AU - Mower, William
AU - Krishnadasan, Anusha
AU - Santibanez, Scott
AU - Mohr, Nicholas
AU - Bahamon, Monica
AU - Carlson, Jestin N.
AU - Chisolm-Straker, Makini
AU - Driver, Brian
AU - Faine, Brett
AU - D, Pharm
AU - Galbraith, James
AU - Giordano, Philip A.
AU - Haran, John P.
AU - Higgins, Amanda
AU - Hinson, Jeremiah
AU - House, Stacey
AU - Idris, Ahamed H.
AU - Kean, Efrat
AU - Krebs, Elizabeth
AU - Kurz, Michael C.
AU - Lee, Lilly
AU - Liang, Stephen Y.
AU - Lim, Stephen C.
AU - Moran, Gregory
AU - Nandi, Utsav
AU - Pathmarajah, Kavitha
AU - Paxton, James H.
AU - Perez, Yesenia
AU - Rothman, Richard
AU - Schrading, Walter A.
AU - Shuck, Jessica
AU - Slev, Patricia
AU - Smithline, Howard A.
AU - Souffront, Kimberly
AU - Steele, Mark
AU - St. Romain, Michelle
AU - Stubbs, Amy
AU - Swanson, Morgan
AU - Tiao, Josh
AU - Torres, Jesus R.
AU - Trent, Stacy
AU - Uribe, Lisandra
AU - Venkat, Arvind
AU - Volturo, Gregory
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 American College of Emergency Physicians
PY - 2021/7
Y1 - 2021/7
N2 - Study Objective: Among a comprehensive range of frontline emergency department health care personnel, we assessed symptoms of anxiety and burnout, specific coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) work-related stressors, and risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We also determined whether COVID-19 serologic testing of HCP decreased their self-reported anxiety. Methods: In a prospective cohort study from May 13, 2020, to July 8, 2020, we used electronic surveys to capture participant self-reported symptoms before and after serologic testing for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G antibodies. Participants were physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, and nonclinical ED personnel at 20 geographically diverse United States EDs. We evaluated these domains: 1) the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall stress and anxiety; 2) COVID-19-related work stressors; 3) burnout; and 4) PTSD risk (measured using the Primary Care-PTSD Screen for DSM-5, a 5-item screening instrument in which a score of ≥3 signifies high risk for PTSD). We also assessed perceptions of whether results of COVID-19 antibody testing decreased participants’ self-reported anxiety. Results: Of 1,606 participants, 100% and 88% responded to the baseline and follow-up surveys, respectively. At baseline, approximately half (46%) reported symptoms of emotional exhaustion and burnout from their work, and 308 (19.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 17.3% to 21.1%) respondents screened positive for increased PTSD risk. Female respondents were more likely than males to screen positive (odds ratio [OR] 2.03, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.78). Common concerns included exposing their family and the health of coworkers diagnosed with COVID-19. After receiving antibody test results, 54% (95% CI 51.8 to 56.7) somewhat agreed, agreed, or strongly agreed that knowledge of their immune status had decreased their anxiety. A positive serology result indicating prior SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting decreased anxiety (2.83, 95% CI 1.37 to 5.83). Conclusion: Symptoms of anxiety and burnout were prevalent across the spectrum of ED staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. One-fifth of ED personnel appeared to be at risk for PTSD. Increased provision of serologic testing may help to mitigate anxiety.
AB - Study Objective: Among a comprehensive range of frontline emergency department health care personnel, we assessed symptoms of anxiety and burnout, specific coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) work-related stressors, and risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We also determined whether COVID-19 serologic testing of HCP decreased their self-reported anxiety. Methods: In a prospective cohort study from May 13, 2020, to July 8, 2020, we used electronic surveys to capture participant self-reported symptoms before and after serologic testing for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G antibodies. Participants were physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, and nonclinical ED personnel at 20 geographically diverse United States EDs. We evaluated these domains: 1) the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall stress and anxiety; 2) COVID-19-related work stressors; 3) burnout; and 4) PTSD risk (measured using the Primary Care-PTSD Screen for DSM-5, a 5-item screening instrument in which a score of ≥3 signifies high risk for PTSD). We also assessed perceptions of whether results of COVID-19 antibody testing decreased participants’ self-reported anxiety. Results: Of 1,606 participants, 100% and 88% responded to the baseline and follow-up surveys, respectively. At baseline, approximately half (46%) reported symptoms of emotional exhaustion and burnout from their work, and 308 (19.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 17.3% to 21.1%) respondents screened positive for increased PTSD risk. Female respondents were more likely than males to screen positive (odds ratio [OR] 2.03, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.78). Common concerns included exposing their family and the health of coworkers diagnosed with COVID-19. After receiving antibody test results, 54% (95% CI 51.8 to 56.7) somewhat agreed, agreed, or strongly agreed that knowledge of their immune status had decreased their anxiety. A positive serology result indicating prior SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting decreased anxiety (2.83, 95% CI 1.37 to 5.83). Conclusion: Symptoms of anxiety and burnout were prevalent across the spectrum of ED staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. One-fifth of ED personnel appeared to be at risk for PTSD. Increased provision of serologic testing may help to mitigate anxiety.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2021.01.028
DO - 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2021.01.028
M3 - Article
C2 - 33846014
AN - SCOPUS:85104494630
SN - 0196-0644
VL - 78
SP - 35-43.e2
JO - Annals of emergency medicine
JF - Annals of emergency medicine
IS - 1
ER -