Covid-19 effects on the workload of Iranian healthcare workers

Esmail Shoja,Amin Asgari,Hadi Bazyar,Hamed Rezakhani Moghaddam,Khadijeh Nasiri,Ali Choupani,Vahideh Aghamohammadi,Mohammad Dashti,Shafagh Aliasgharzadeh,Masoumeh Garaee

doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09743-w

Abstract

BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the workload and mental health of Iranian medical staff using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and NASA -Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) Questionnaire between March and April 2020, respectively.MethodsThe present cross-sectional study was conducted from March 5th to April 5th, 2020. To evaluate the workload and mental health of participants NASA-TLX and GHQ-12 online questionnaires were distributed. Data were entered into software SPSS (Version 23) and T-test, ANOVA, Regression methods were used for data analysis.ResultsHealth workers who encountered COVID- 19 patients, were subjected to more task load compared to those who had no contact with COVID- 19 patients at the workplace (p < 0.001). In terms of the subscale score of NASA-TLX, nurses had more scores in mental pressure, physical pressure, time pressure (temporal), and frustration compared to the other jobs (p < 0.05). Moreover, nurses had significantly more workload compared to the other jobs.ConclusionsType of job, the shift of work, educational level, and facing COVID-19 affected the score of NASA-TLX. NASA-TLX scores were higher in nursing compared to the scores of other health staff groups. The results of this study indicate that the scores of NASA-TLX and GHQ-12 among staff who had contact with COVID-19 patients were significantly higher than those who did not face COVID-19 patients. We suggested that a comprehensive assistance should be provided to support the well-being of healthcare workers especially nurses and healthcare workers who treated COVID-19 patients.

Highlights

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the workload and mental health of Iranian medical staff using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and NASA -Task Load Index (NASA-task load index (TLX)) Questionnaire between March and April 2020, respectively
Jobs, the shift of work, educational level, and facing COVID-19 affected the score of NASA-TLX
Type of job, the shift of work, educational level, and facing COVID-19 affected the score of NASA-TLX

Summary

Introduction

We aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the workload and mental health of Iranian medical staff using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and NASA -Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) Questionnaire between March and April 2020, respectively. The major sources of psychological distress among healthcare workers are as follows: increased work hours, lack of sleep quality, fatigue, and the risk of infecting with this virus and putting their family members at the risk of a life-threatening condition [5]. Health care workers feel chronic fear of infection due to this virus’s contagious nature, unknown transmission modes, close contact with patients, and getting infection from their colleagues [6]. Recent research into the major sources of psychological distress among healthcare workers suggests that the well-being of the health care workforce is the basis of each wellfunctioning health system [7, 8]. Physicians’ burnout and lack of health care workforce have serious consequences for patients and could lead the medical system to the verge of a devastating collapse [6]

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