Study: Caring for COVID-19 Patients May Increase Risk of Mental Health Problems for Caregivers

SALT LAKE CITY – More than half of healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 could be at risk of mental health problems, according to a new study released this week by scientists at the University of Utah Health .

The Utah Department of Health reported 2,899 new cases of COVID and 566 people hospitalized on Wednesday. However, the daily counts do not include what a new study calls “the growing risk of mental health problems among health professionals working on the front lines of the pandemic.”

“I think the experience of being a frontline worker right now is complicated,” said Dr. Andrew Smith, clinical psychologist, lead author of the study and director of the University’s occupational trauma program. from Utah at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. .

“I think the big word surrounding all of this is sort of burnout,” Smith said. “Going from this increased stress and threat day by day into a kind of everyday family life is a really complicated task for people on a biological level.”

Researchers interviewed 571 healthcare workers in the western mountain, including emergency responders, nurses and doctors. Of those surveyed, 56% tested positive for at least one mental health disorder. Problematic alcohol use, insomnia and depression were the most common.

“We see that the rates for emergency responders, in particular, resemble the rates for 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina,” Smith said.

“Having direct contact with patients didn’t necessarily cause increased anxiety, depression or PTSD. But it was causing homeopathic ways to cope, ”Smith said. “And one of those would be drinking alcohol.”

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We see that the rates for emergency responders, in particular, resemble the rates for September 11 and Hurricane Katrina.

–Dr. Andrew Smith, lead author of the study

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“There are a number of nights I did not sleep during this time,” said Dr Kencee Graves, who was involved in the survey and is the deputy chief inpatient at the U of U Health. “I will tell you that I have needed to speak to my therapist several times to deal with the stress of what we are doing.”

Graves, who works regularly with patients with COVID-19 and those with other illnesses, said she could relate to at least one of the mental health issues identified in the study: insomnia.

“The fatigue of our healthcare teams is palpable,” she said. “You can walk, and while we’re at it we’re tired. And it’s hard because I still think we’re several months away.”

Graves said she can also see how other things happening in the country and around the world could be contributing to the fight for mental health. She sees it in her patients.

“Besides seeing more COVID-19, what I’ve also seen is more suicide attempts, more alcohol-related illnesses, more intoxication, more abuse,” says she. “It’s been a really, really tough year for everyone, and I think in healthcare we sometimes feel a little bit responsible for taking care of others. This is why we are in this field.

Surprisingly, health workers in the study felt less anxious as they treated more COVID-19 patients.

“You go from a kind of anxious anticipation phase to that phase where you ground yourself in the mission and in the work,” Smith said.

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You go from a kind of anxious anticipation phase to this phase of being grounded in the mission and grounded in the work.

–Dr. Andrew Smith, lead author of the study

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Smith also pointed out that not everyone develops mental health problems. Many are proving to be resilient. Not because things aren’t difficult, but because they find a healthy way to deal with it.

“We’re really interested in people who have struggled sometimes and been able to bounce back and what made them able to do that,” he said.

“I don’t know what the solution is yet, but studying it is certainly a step in the right direction.”

Researchers suggest that healthcare employers identify those who suffer from mental health issues and offer them another role that could reduce anxiety and fear. Providing preventive education and treatment for alcohol abuse to workers dealing with alcohol abuse is essential.

“I think everyone is tired and the health workers are really tired, so I think it’s very, very important to support each other at this time,” Graves said.