Psychological Perceptions and Preparedness during Novel Coronavirus Disease - 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic - A Multinational Cross-sectional Study among Healthcare Professionals.

Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused serious repercussions both physically and mentally. The crisis has laid an enormous workload on the global healthcare fraternity. This article has attempted to study the emotional and psychological status of the medical and dental fraternity across seven Asian countries (India, Malaysia, the Gulf Cooperation countries (GCC) and, others) and also deduce the degree of mental preparedness as they spearhead the war against COVID-19. A cross-sectional, descriptive online survey was carried out among potential participants from online forums and other health-related social communities. Bivariate analysis with descriptive statistics was applied to decipher the results. A total of 788 complete responses were analyzed. The response rate was 77.1%. Results revealed the perception of the Healthcare Professionals about COVID-19 and its implications in their personal and professional lives. Many categories from psychological and emotional standpoints were analyzed. Older HCPs (above 35 years) reported high levels of stress at the workplace (p = 0.002). About 43.5% of the HCPs from India reported that they have not received any specialized training on containing COVID-19 or any contagious disease. Intense emotional stress was reported by the HCPs when colleagues get infected. The medical professionals (61.7%) exhibited more work stress compared to their dental counterparts. Analyzing the psychological and emotional status of HCPs is imperative especially in this COVID-19 situation. Similar analyses are crucial to gauge the quality of our healthcare system and take necessary actions like training the workforce, revamping the infrastructure, and regulating the workflow.

Psychological perceptions and preparedness during novel coronavirus disease - 2019 (covid-19) pandemic - a multinational cross-sectional study among healthcare professionals

Abstract Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused serious repercussions both physically and mentally. The crisis has laid an enormous workload on the global healthcare fraternity. This article has attempted to study the emotional and psychological status of the medical and dental fraternity across seven Asian countries (India, Malaysia, the Gulf Cooperation countries (GCC) and, others) and also deduce the degree of mental preparedness as they spearhead the war against COVID-19. A cross-sectional, descriptive online survey was carried out among potential participants from online forums and other health-related social communities. Bivariate analysis with descriptive statistics was applied to decipher the results. A total of 788 complete responses were analyzed. The response rate was 77.1%. Results revealed the perception of the Healthcare Professionals about COVID-19 and its implications in their personal and professional lives. Many categories from psychological and emotional standpoints were analyzed. Older HCPs (above 35 years) reported high levels of stress at the workplace (p = 0.002). About 43.5% of the HCPs from India reported that they have not received any specialized training on containing COVID-19 or any contagious disease. Intense emotional stress was reported by the HCPs when colleagues get infected. The medical professionals (61.7%) exhibited more work stress compared to their dental counterparts. Analyzing the psychological and emotional status of HCPs is imperative especially in this COVID-19 situation. Similar analyses are crucial to gauge the quality of our healthcare system and take necessary actions like training the workforce, revamping the infrastructure, and regulating the workflow.

Resumo O novo Coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) tem causado sérias repercussões tanto físicas como mentais. A crise colocou uma enorme carga de trabalho sobre a comunidade global de saúde. O objetivo foi estudar o estado emocional e psicológico da comunidade médica e dentária em sete países asiáticos (Índia, Malásia, os países da Cooperação do Golfo (GCC) e, outros) e também deduzir o grau de preparo mental à medida que conduzem a guerra contra a COVID-19. Foi realizado um estudo transversal e descritivo online entre potenciais participantes de fóruns online e outras comunidades sociais relacionadas com a saúde. Foi aplicada uma análise bivariada com estatística descritiva para decifrar os resultados. Foram analisadas um total de 788 respostas completas. A taxa de resposta foi de 77,1%. Os resultados revelaram a percepção dos Profissionais de Saúde sobre a COVID-19 e as suas implicações na sua vida pessoal e profissional. Foram analisadas muitas categorias do ponto de vista psicológico e emocional. Os HCP mais velhos (acima de 35 anos) relataram níveis elevados de stress no local de trabalho (p = 0,002). Cerca de 43,5% dos HCP da Índia relataram não ter recebido qualquer formação especializada sobre a contenção de COVID-19 ou qualquer doença contagiosa. O estresse emocional intenso foi relatado pelos HCPs quando os colegas foram infectados. Os profissionais médicos (61,7%) exibiram mais stress de trabalho em comparação com os seus homólogos dentários. A análise do estado psicológico e emocional dos HCP é imperativa, especialmente nesta situação de COVID-19. Análises semelhantes são cruciais para avaliar a qualidade do nosso sistema de saúde e tomar as ações necessárias como a formação da força de trabalho, a renovação das infra-estruturas, e a regulação do fluxo de trabalho.