ORIGINAL PAPER
Mental well-being of healthcare workers in 2 hospital districts during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland: a cross-sectional study
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1
University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
(Faculty of Medicine)
2
Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
(Clinical Research Institute HUCH)
3
University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
(Niuvanniemi Hospital)
4
Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
(Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics – Head and Neck Surgery)
5
BeeHealthy, Helsinki, Finland
6
Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
(HUS Inflammation Center)
7
Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
(HUS Diagnostic Center, HUSLAB)
Online publication date: 2022-10-13
Corresponding author
Noora Rantanen
University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, P.O. Box 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(6):707-18
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unseen pressure on healthcare systems in many countries, jeopardizing the mental well-being
of healthcare workers. The authors aimed to assess the mental well-being of Finnish healthcare workers from 2 hospital districts (Helsinki University
Hospital [HUS] and Social and Health Services in Kymenlaakso [Kymsote]) with differing COVID-19 incidence rates during the first wave
of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020. Material and Methods: A total number of 996 healthcare workers (HUS N = 862, Kymsote N = 134)
participated in this prospectively conducted survey study during summer 2020. Symptom criteria of self-reported mental health symptoms followed
ICD-10 classification, excluding duration criteria. Participants were divided into symptom categories “often/sometimes”, and “rarely/never”. These
groups were compared to sociodemographic factors and factors related to work, workload, and well-being. Results: The degree of mental health
symptoms did not differ between the 2 healthcare districts despite differing COVID-19 incidences (p = 1). The authors observed a significant relationship
between self-reported diagnostic mental health symptoms and experiences of insufficient instructions for protection against COVID-19
(in HUS cohort p < 0.001), insufficient recovery from work (p < 0.001), and subjective increased workload (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The authors’
results show the importance of well-planned and sufficient instructions for protection from SARS-CoV-2 for healthcare workers, indicating their
need to feel safe and protected at work. The workload of healthcare workers should be carefully monitored to keep it moderate and ensure sufficient recovery. Sufficient control of the epidemic to keep the burden of the healthcare system low is vital for healthcare workers’ well-being. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(6):708–18