Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2022.164

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH BURDEN ON HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN A CANCER CENTRE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC OUTBREAK IN INDIA

Raj Nagarkar ; Department of Surgical Oncology, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik, Maharashtra, India
Roshankumar Patil ; Department of Radiation Oncology, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik, Maharashtra, India
Kavita Gadade ; Department of Psycho-Oncology, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik, Maharashtra, India
Nishtha Paleja ; Department of Clinical Research, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik, Maharashtra, India
Yasam Venkata Ramesh ; Department of Academics, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Background: The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is severely affecting the public health and posing a challenge to
health care providers, especially working as front-line medical staff. This study was aimed to understand the psychological impact
and mental burden of the present outbreak on Indian health care providers who are working at cancer care centre.
Subjects and methods: A self-reporting online questionnaire was given to the multidisciplinary staff (n=344) and their mental
health was assessed using various scales via GAD-7 scale for anxiety, PHQ-9 scale for depression, ISI for insomnia, K-10 for
distress, and STAI for stress along with five self-made Pandemic specific questions.
Results: Response rate was 91% (n=344) among 190 (55%) were male and 154 (45%) were female. The frontline and secondline
workers were 178 (52%) and 166 (48%), respectively. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia and distress was observed in
62 (18%), 75 (22%), 42 (12%), and 60 (17%) of the participants, respectively. They were predominantly influenced by variables such
as gender (female), education (≥graduation), co-morbidities, and level of work (frontline). Followed by other less dominant variables
such as contact with patients (frequent), and working in hospital (<3 years), respectively.
Conclusion: A mild to moderate level of psychological burden was observed in the health care providers. Overall, there is a
need to address the mental health issues by providing, timely training, counselling, rotation in shifts, lowering workload and intensify
the awareness programmes of the staff during this COVID-19 pandemic for better outcomes and promoting resilience in the staff.

Keywords

COVID-19 pandemic; psychological burden; healthcare providers; cancer care; India

Hrčak ID:

277531

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/277531

Publication date:

3.5.2022.

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