RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the long-term consequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). We carried out an assessment on SARS patients after their recovery from their acute illness. METHOD: Postal survey comprising Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) questionnaires and anxiety and depression measures was sent to them at 3 months' postdischarge. RESULTS: There was a significant impairment in both the HRQoL and mental functioning. Forty-one percent had scores indicative of a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); about 30% had likely anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: SARS has significant impact on HRQoL and psychological status at 3 months.
Assuntos
Transtornos de Ansiedade/epidemiologia , Depressão/epidemiologia , Qualidade de Vida/psicologia , Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave , Transtornos de Estresse Pós-Traumáticos/epidemiologia , Sobreviventes/psicologia , Adulto , Transtornos de Ansiedade/diagnóstico , Transtornos de Ansiedade/psicologia , China/etnologia , Demografia , Depressão/diagnóstico , Depressão/psicologia , Feminino , Hospitalização , Humanos , Índia/etnologia , Malásia/etnologia , Masculino , Alta do Paciente , Projetos Piloto , Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave/psicologia , Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave/reabilitação , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Singapura , Transtornos de Estresse Pós-Traumáticos/diagnóstico , Transtornos de Estresse Pós-Traumáticos/psicologia , Inquéritos e Questionários , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Healthcare workers (HCWs) were at the frontline during the battle against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Understanding their fears and anxieties may hold lessons for handling future outbreaks, including acts of bioterrorism. METHOD: We measured risk perception and impact on personal and work life of 15,025 HCWs from 9 major healthcare institutions during the SARS epidemic in Singapore using a self-administered questionnaire and Impact of Events Scale and analyzed the results with bivariate and multivariate statistics. RESULTS: From 10,511 valid questionnaires (70% response), we found that although the majority (76%) perceived a great personal risk of falling ill with SARS, they (69.5%) also accepted the risk as part of their job. Clinical staff (doctors and nurses), staff in daily contact with SARS patients, and staff from SARS-affected institutions expressed significantly higher levels of anxiety. More than half reported increased work stress (56%) and work load (53%). Many experienced social stigmatization (49%) and ostracism by family members (31%), but most (77%) felt appreciated by society. Most felt that the personal protective measures implemented were effective (96%) and that the institutional policies and protocols were clear (93%) and timely (90%). CONCLUSION: During epidemics, healthcare institutions have a duty to protect HCWs and help them cope with their personal fears and the very stressful work situation. Singapore's experience shows that simple protective measures based on sound epidemiological principles, when implemented in a timely manner, go a long way to reassure HCWs.