Author:
Liu Shuang,Han Wei,Shen Chenyu,Zhu Changju,Wang Qiaofang,Liang Xianquan,He Xiangxi,Xie Qin,Wei Jie,Wu Miao,Zhao Xiaodong,Liu Hongsheng,Liu Danping,Guo Xiaowang,Nie Shinan,Cao Liping,Lu Linxin,Fang Yaqin,Lu Zhongqiu,Wu Yixu,Zhao Min,Han Jun,Zhang Xinchao,Chang Jie,Xu Shuogui,Ma Wenjie,Si Junli,Qi Suxia,Peng Peng,Chai Yage,Cao Yu,Jiang Yaowen,Yin Wen,Wang Yanjun,Zhan Hong,Huang Yingxiong,Deng Ying,Song Juanjuan,Yang Lishan,Wu Jiali,Ding Banghan,Zheng Danwen,Qian Chuanyun,Huang Rui,Lin Jiyan,Xu Zhihong,Zhang Guoxiu,Hu Yingying,Dou Qingli,Zhang Xiaoming,Tian Yingping,Yao Dongqi,Walline Joseph Harold,Zhu Huadong,Xu Jun,Li Yi,Yu Xuezhong
Abstract
Chinese emergency department (ED) staff encountered significant mental stress while fighting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We sought to investigate the prevalence and associated factors for depressive symptoms among ED staff (including physicians, nurses, allied health, and auxiliary ED staff). A cross-sectional national survey of ED staff who were on duty and participated in combating the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted March 1–15, 2020. A total of 6,588 emergency medical personnel from 1,060 hospitals responded to this survey. A majority of respondents scored above 10 points on the PHQ-9 standardized test, which is associated with depressive symptoms. Those aged 31–45, those working in the COVID-19 isolation unit, and those with relatives ≤ 16 or ≥70 years old at home all had statistically significant associations with scoring >10 points. Depressive symptoms among Chinese emergency medical staff were likely quite common during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and reinforce the importance of targeted ED staff support during future outbreaks.
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health