Immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work and personal lives of Australian hospital clinical staff
Sara Holton
A B K , Karen Wynter A B , Melody Trueman C , Suellen Bruce D , Susan Sweeney C , Shane Crowe C , Adrian Dabscheck E , Paul Eleftheriou E , Sarah Booth F , Danielle Hitch F , Catherine M. Said F G H , Kimberley J. Haines F and Bodil Rasmussen A B I J
A School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Vic. 3220, Australia. Email: k.wynter@deakin.edu.au; bodil.rasmussen@deakin.edu.au
B Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research – Western Health Partnership, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.
C Nursing and Midwifery, Western Health, PO Box 294, St Albans, Vic. 3021, Australia. Email: melody.trueman@wh.org.au; sue.sweeney@wh.org.au; shane.crowe@wh.org.au
D People, Culture and Communications, Western Health, Locked Bag 2, Footscray, Vic. 3011, Australia. Email: suellen.bruce@wh.org.au
E Medical Services, Western Health, Locked Bag 2, Footscray, Vic. 3011, Australia. Email: adrian.dabscheck@wh.org.au; paul.eleftheriou@wh.org.au
F Allied Health, Western Health, PO Box 294, St Albans, Vic. 3021, Australia. Email: sarah.booth@wh.org.au; danielle.hitch@wh.org.au; cathy.said@wh.org.au; kimberley.haines@wh.org.au
G Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Alan Gilbert Building, 161 Barry Street, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.
H Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science, 176 Furlong Road, St Albans, Vic. 3021, Australia.
I Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 København, Denmark.
J Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
K Corresponding author. Email: s.holton@deakin.edu.au
Australian Health Review 45(6) 656-666 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH21014
Submitted: 12 January 2021 Accepted: 31 May 2021 Published: 19 July 2021
Journal Compilation © AHHA 2021 Open Access CC BY
Abstract
Objective This study investigated the short-term psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital clinical staff, specifically their self-reported concerns and perceived impact on their work and personal lives.
Methods Nurses, midwives, doctors and allied health staff at a large metropolitan tertiary health service in Melbourne, Australia, completed an anonymous online cross-sectional survey between 15 May and 10 June 2020. The survey assessed respondents’ COVID-19 contact status, concerns related to COVID-19 and other effects of COVID-19. Space was provided for free-text comments.
Results Respondents were mostly concerned about contracting COVID-19, infecting family members and caring for patients with COVID-19. Concerns about accessing and using personal protective equipment, redeployment and their ability to provide high-quality patient care during the pandemic were also reported. Pregnant staff expressed uncertainty about the possible impact of COVID-19 on their pregnancy. Despite their concerns, few staff had considered resigning, and positive aspects of the pandemic were also described.
Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on the work and personal lives of hospital clinical staff. Staff, particularly those who are pregnant, would benefit from targeted well-being and support initiatives that address their concerns and help them manage their work and personal lives.
What is known about the topic? The COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact on healthcare workers’ psychological well-being. Little is known about their COVID-19-related concerns and the perceived impact of the pandemic on their work and personal lives, particularly hospital clinical staff during the ‘first wave’ of the pandemic in Australia.
What does this paper add? This paper contributes to a small but emerging evidence base about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work and personal lives of hospital clinical staff. Most staff were concerned about their own health and the risk to their families, friends and colleagues. Despite their concerns, few had considered resigning. Uncertainty about the possible impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy was also reported.
What are the implications for practitioners? During the current and future pandemics, staff, especially those who are pregnant, would benefit from targeted well-being and support initiatives that address their concerns and help them manage the impact on their health, work and personal lives.
Keywords: Australia, clinical staff, COVID-19, hospitals, occupational groups, pandemic, psychosocial factors, support initiatives.
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