Mental health impact of COVID-19 pandemic on therapists at inpatient rehabilitation facility.

MedStar author(s):
Citation: Pm & R. 2022 Jun 06PMID: 35666036Institution: MedStar Health Research Institute | MedStar National Rehabilitation Network | MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency | Physical Medicine and RehabilitationForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: IN PROCESS -- NOT YET INDEXEDYear: 2022ISSN:
  • 1934-1482
Name of journal: PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationAbstract: BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers have faced extraordinary work-related stress in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology providers at inpatient rehabilitation facilities may represent a distinct at-risk subgroup for work-related stress during the pandemic due to the usual nature of their job duties, including close physical contact and extended treatment times.CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional survey highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupational stress and mental health of therapists working at an inpatient rehabilitation facility during the first surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations. This research may help institutions identify at-risk individuals who may benefit from support and guide policy changes to resolve potentially modifiable factors at a systems level. Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.INTERVENTION: A 26-item electronic questionnaire containing a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Positive screens for depression or anxiety as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the General Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, respectively.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related stress and occurrence of depression and anxiety in physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists during the first surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations.PARTICIPANTS: Survey responses were collected from 38 therapists.RESULTS: Seven individuals (19%) scored at or above the clinically significant cutoff of 10 on each the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, corresponding to increased risk for depression and anxiety. Therapists younger than 30 years old had significantly higher GAD-7 scores compared to therapists between 30-39 years old (p < .05). Occupational stress was attributed to a number of causes including concerns for health and safety, unpredictable changes in hospital protocols and work assignments, acquisition of additional work duties, concerns about the ability to provide high-quality patient care in a restricted environment, and the psychological toll of caring for patients with or recovering from COVID-19.SETTING: Academic, freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facility.All authors: Desale S, Doshi S, Jow S, Malmut LFiscal year: FY2022Digital Object Identifier: ORCID: Date added to catalog: 2022-07-06
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Journal Article MedStar Authors Catalog Article 35666036 Available 35666036

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers have faced extraordinary work-related stress in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology providers at inpatient rehabilitation facilities may represent a distinct at-risk subgroup for work-related stress during the pandemic due to the usual nature of their job duties, including close physical contact and extended treatment times.

CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional survey highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupational stress and mental health of therapists working at an inpatient rehabilitation facility during the first surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations. This research may help institutions identify at-risk individuals who may benefit from support and guide policy changes to resolve potentially modifiable factors at a systems level. Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.

INTERVENTION: A 26-item electronic questionnaire containing a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Positive screens for depression or anxiety as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the General Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, respectively.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related stress and occurrence of depression and anxiety in physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists during the first surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

PARTICIPANTS: Survey responses were collected from 38 therapists.

RESULTS: Seven individuals (19%) scored at or above the clinically significant cutoff of 10 on each the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, corresponding to increased risk for depression and anxiety. Therapists younger than 30 years old had significantly higher GAD-7 scores compared to therapists between 30-39 years old (p < .05). Occupational stress was attributed to a number of causes including concerns for health and safety, unpredictable changes in hospital protocols and work assignments, acquisition of additional work duties, concerns about the ability to provide high-quality patient care in a restricted environment, and the psychological toll of caring for patients with or recovering from COVID-19.

SETTING: Academic, freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facility.

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