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NCT Number: NCT04382196

Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health of Health Care Workers

The impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic on healthcare workers is enormous. This longitudinal study investigates the prevalence of mental health problems and the quality of life of healthcare workers during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Underlying risk factors are also examined. Health care workers of the different Covid-19 cohort and transit wards, as well as the intensive care unit and (psychiatric) emergency services of the Ghent university hospital will be included, as well as the health care workers of 6 non-Covid-19 wards.

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Key information

Conditions

Mental Health Behavior COVID-19 Coronaviridae Infections Coronavirus Infections Infections Lung Diseases Nidovirales Infections Personal Satisfaction Pneumonia Pneumonia, Viral Psychological Well-Being Quality of Life RNA Virus Infections Respiratory Tract Diseases Respiratory Tract Infections Virus Diseases

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Ghent University Hospital

Ghent, 9000, Belgium

About this study

The impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic on healthcare workers is enormous. Previous studies during the SARS outbreak demonstrated a significant burden and increase of mental health problems in health care workers.This longitudinal study aims to investigate the prevalence of mental health problems and the quality of life of health care workers during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Health care workers of the different Covid-19 cohort and transit wards, as well as the intensive care unit and (psychiatric) emergency services of the Ghent university hospital will be included, as well as the health care workers of 6 non-Covid-19 wards. Participants will receive a monthly online survey during the government issued restrictions. After cessation of the restrictions participants will receive three-monthly surveys for a one-year-period.

Sociodemographic data, data regarding employment and previous mental health problems will be collected at the first survey. The Covid-19 status of the health care workers will be inquired at every survey. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Dutch translation of the Covid-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI), the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) and three items measuring social support will be administered at every survey.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • health care worker
  • employed at inclusion at Covid cohort/transit or (psychiatric) emergency services or intensive care unit or 6 specified wards of the Ghent University Hospital

Exclusion criteria

  • none

Treatment and study plan

Online survey

Other

An online survey will be administered

Primary outcomes

  1. Depressive symptoms at baseline

    Time frame: Baseline

    Depressive symptoms as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more depressive symptoms with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

  2. Change in depressive symptoms

    Time frame: Baseline, baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days, baseline + 270 days, baseline + 360 days, baseline + 540 days, baseline + 900 days

    Depressive symptoms as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more depressive symptoms with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

  3. Anxiety levels at baseline

    Time frame: Baseline

    Anxiety as measured by the 7-item anxiety subscale of the self-reported DASS-21 (DASS-21-Anxiety). A higher score indicates higher anxiety levels with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

  4. Change in anxiety levels

    Time frame: Baseline, baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days, baseline + 270 days, baseline + 360 days, baseline + 540 days, baseline + 900 days

    Anxiety as measured by the 7-item anxiety subscale of the self-reported DASS-21 (DASS-21-Anxiety). A higher score indicates higher anxiety levels with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

  5. Stress levels at baseline

    Time frame: Baseline

    Stress as measured by the 7-item stress subscale of the self-reported DASS-21 (DASS-21-Stress). A higher score indicates higher stress levels with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

  6. Change in stress levels

    Time frame: Baseline, baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days, baseline + 270 days, baseline + 360 days, baseline + 540 days, baseline + 900 days

    Stress as measured by the 7-item stress subscale of the self-reported DASS-21 (DASS-21-Stress). A higher score indicates higher stress levels with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

  7. Quality of life at baseline

    Time frame: Baseline

    Quality of life will be measured by the WHO Quality of Life Bref Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). This self-report questionnaire has a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 100 with a higher score indicating higher quality of life. It includes different domains such as physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment as well as two specific questions regarding an individual's overall perception of quality of life and physical health.

  8. Change in Quality of life

    Time frame: Baseline, baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days, baseline + 270 days, baseline + 360 days, baseline + 540 days, baseline + 900 days

    Quality of life will be measured by the WHO Quality of Life Bref Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). This self-report questionnaire has a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 100 with a higher score indicating higher quality of life. It includes different domains such as physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment as well as two specific questions regarding an individual's overall perception of quality of life and physical health.

  9. Covid-19 related psychological distress

    Time frame: baseline

    Specific distress regarding Covd-19 will be measured by the Dutch translation of the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). This self-reported questionnaire inquires about the frequency of anxiety, depression, specific phobias, cognitive change, avoidance and compulsive behaviour, physical symptoms and loss of social functioning in the past week. The score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more distress.

  10. Change in Covid-19 related psychological distress

    Time frame: Baseline, baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days, baseline + 270 days, baseline + 360 days, baseline + 540 days, baseline + 900 days

    Specific distress regarding Covd-19 will be measured by the Dutch translation of the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). This self-reported questionnaire inquires about the frequency of anxiety, depression, specific phobias, cognitive change, avoidance and compulsive behaviour, physical symptoms and loss of social functioning in the past week. The score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more distress.

  11. Post traumatic stress symptoms

    Time frame: Baseline

    The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) is a 5-item screen that was designed for use in primary care settings. The measure begins with an item designed to assess whether the respondent has had any exposure to traumatic events. If a respondent denies exposure, the PC-PTSD-5 is complete with a score of 0. However, if a respondent indicates that they have experienced a traumatic event over the course of their life, the respondent is instructed to respond to five additional yes/no questions about how that trauma exposure has affected them over the past month. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 5 with higher scores indicating more PTSD-related symptoms.

  12. Change in post traumatic stress symptoms

    Time frame: Baseline, baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days, baseline + 270 days, baseline + 360 days, baseline + 540 days, baseline + 900 days

    The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) is a 5-item screen that was designed for use in primary care settings. The measure begins with an item designed to assess whether the respondent has had any exposure to traumatic events. If a respondent denies exposure, the PC-PTSD-5 is complete with a score of 0. However, if a respondent indicates that they have experienced a traumatic event over the course of their life, the respondent is instructed to respond to five additional yes/no questions about how that trauma exposure has affected them over the past month. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 5 with higher scores indicating more PTSD-related symptoms.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Perceived social support at baseline

    Time frame: Baseline

    Social support (from colleagues and employer) as perceived by participants will be measured by three items as measured on a 5-point Likert scale. For each item the minimum score is 1 and the maximum score is 5.

  2. Change in perceived social support

    Time frame: Baseline, baseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days, baseline + 270 days, baseline + 360 days, baseline + 540 days, baseline + 900 days

    Social support (from colleagues and employer) as perceived by participants will be measured by three items as measured on a 5-point Likert scale. For each item the minimum score is 1 and the maximum score is 5.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Ghent

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Quality of Life of Healthcare Workers in a University Hospital

Acronym: COVID-Impact

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
May 11, 2020
Registry last updated
Dec 14, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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