Stress, psychological distress and support in a health care organization during Covid-19: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to understand what health and wellbeing initiatives are helpful for health care workers' stress and psychological distress during the Covid-19 pandemic. Health care workers are at increased risk of poor mental health during health emergencies; understanding support required for health care workers is of paramount importance. Participants were health care workers at a health and social care organization (N = 159). The study included an online questionnaire including an evaluation of health and wellbeing initiatives and measures of perceived stress and psychological distress. The highest rated resources were counselling, personal protective equipment (PPE) and Covid-19 testing. Those who accessed yoga reported significantly less stress and psychological distress than those who did not access yoga. Health care workers with higher stress and psychological distress felt less supported by their organization, less listened to and less involved in organizational decisions. Practical implications are discussed such as forward planning for health emergencies (e.g., PPE supply), accessible Covid-19 testing as well as budgeting for counselling services and exercise classes. In addition, targeted support for those diagnosed with Covid-19 is recommended, alongside involvement of staff members in organizational decisions.