Tempei Otsubo
   Department   School of Medicine(Tokyo Women's Medical University Adachi Medical Center), School of Medicine
   Position   Professor
Article types Original article
Language English
Peer review Peer reviewed
Title Psychological Effects on Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Single-center Study at a Tertiary Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.
Journal Formal name：Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
Abbreviation：Intern Med
ISSN code：13497235/09182918
Domestic / ForeginForegin
Volume, Issue, Page 60(17),pp.2771-2776
Author and coauthor Ishikawa Motonao†*, Ogasawara Tomoko, Takahashi Kenichiro, Ono Takuya, Matsui Kazuhiro, Marshall Shoko, Sakurai Ayana, Aoka Yoshikazu, Otsubo Tempei, Sato Yasuto, Sakura Hiroshi, Uchigata Yasuko
Publication date 2021/09
Summary Objective The present study analyzed the psychological status of healthcare workers in Japan and the influencing factors during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic. Methods An online survey was conducted from July 22 to August 21, 2020. A total of 328 of the 1,029 medical staff members in our university hospital participated in the study. Their mental health was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the mental health outcomes. Results Of the respondents, 78.0% reported psychological distress. Overall, we found that women, non-physicians, those who lived alone, and younger respondents had significantly greater psychological distress than their counterparts. The multivariate regression analysis showed that four factors were extracted as independent 12-item General Health Questionnaire-related factors: the lack of a sense of mission as a medical professional, the burden of the change in the quality of work, the lack of understanding about virus infectivity, and a strong sense of duty. Conclusion In summary, we found a high prevalence of psychological distress among healthcare workers during the 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak in Japan. Independent risk factors for psychological distress were the burden of the change in the quality of work, the lack of understanding about virus infectivity, a sense of responsibility, and the lack of a strong motivation and drive to help.
DOI 10.2169/internalmedicine.7207-21
PMID 34219107