Investigating the psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers in the intensive care unit

Background/Aim: The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, COVID-19, has become first viral outbreak defined as a pandemic in 21st century. Experience with previous endemics shows that critical care workers disproportionately suffer from depression and anxiety after facing such outbreaks; however, data are limited regarding early phase of spread. Our aim was to investigate healthcare employed ICUs during initial COVID-19 spread Istanbul, Turkey, possible relationships various characteristics workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated descriptive demographic characteristics, professions, COVID-19-related perceptions, 12 six hospitals located Turkey. Beck Depression (Beck-D) Anxiety (Beck-A) Inventories State-Trait Inventory (STAI) TX-I TX-II were used assess anxiety. Employees worked included, regardless profession, ICU type (neonatal/pediatric or adult), age, education working status. We compared recorded among employees regard groups based on type, sex, status, marital children, cohabiting whether they residing at their home. Additionally, multivariable regression analyses performed identify factors independently associated scores obtained scales. Results: A third studied population found have moderate-to-severe levels according Beck-D Beck-A STAI similar all comparison except for significantly higher participants living family/friends (P=0.027). pediatric/neonatal (P=0.001), nurses (P=0.002), without children (P=0.046), those home (P=0.031). lower (P=0.025), subjects (P=0.008) individuals (P=0.002). (P<0.001), (P=0.049), not (P=0.003). There only weak correlations between perceptions scale scores. Multivariable showed being physician alone Conclusion: psychological impact seems be unassociated disease-related disease, but about clinically-relevant results show should receive continuous mental assessment support, may benefit provided accommodation when caring patients diseases COVID-19.