DETERMINATION OF INTOLERANCE OF UNCERTAINTY AND ANXIETY LEVELS OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WORKERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety affects both the work and the personal lives of emergency workers. To determine the intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety levels of emergency department (ED) worker who are at the forefront against the COVID-19 pandemic and have a high risk of infection. The research was designed as cross-sectional type. Data were collected by using an online survey method with 80 personnel working in a city hospital emergency department. Employee information form, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12), and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) were used in the research. It was seen that participants' ISU-12 score was 40.66 ±9.87 on average, and CAS score was 9.23±4.53 on average. It was determined that the participants' intolerance to uncertainty was moderate, but their coronavirus anxiety was high. A substantial, low positive correlation has been identified between the levels of intolerance to uncertainty and coronavirus anxiety levels of emergency department worker. The uncertainty and anxiety levels of emergency department workers are very important for both patient outcomes and the working life of the staff. In Turkey, hospital administrations are required to develop procedures to evaluate this situation for emergency department personnel. It can be seen that the uncertainties experienced by emergency department worker during the Covid-19 period appear to increase their anxiety levels.