COVID-19 Pandemi Sürecinde Bir Şehir Hastanesinde Hekim ve Hemşirelerin Algılanan Stres Düzeyleri ve Baş Etme Tarzları

Abstract

Introduction: The acute period of the COVID-19 pandemic forced stress-coping resources on physicians and nurses because of its uncertainty and catastrophe. Therefore, the perceived levels of stress and coping styles of the healthcare workers have been a matter of concern for the healthcare industry. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to determine the perceived levels of stress and coping styles in physicians and nurses at a city hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were collected from 372 nurses and physicians using self-report questionnaires the Perceived Stress Scale and the Ways of Coping Scale. Results: The findings showed that the nurses had higher levels of stress than the physicians. More of the physicians used the positive reappraisal style of coping than nurses whereas more of the nurses used the avoidance coping and distancing styles of coping than the physicians. In addition, age, gender, level of education, and level of income determine the perceived level of stress and the associated coping style. Conclusion: The results of this study shed light on the active and passive coping mechanisms used by nurses to deal with stress. Nurses and physicians should be regularly provided with applied education within the scope of psychosocial support programs to help them adopt active coping styles such as positive reappraisal, confronting coping, and seeking social support.