Table_1_Perceived Concerns and Psychological Distress of Healthcare Workers Facing Three Early Stages of COVID-19 Pandemic.docx

BackgroundThis study analyzed the difference in psychological distress of the healthcare workers in three different periods of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Argentina. Specifically, from the third week of the mandatory quarantine through the two following weeks.
MethodsAnalysis of the responses of 1,458 members of the health personnel was done on a questionnaire on healthcare workers concerns regarding the care of patients with coronavirus, indicators of depression, anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping.
ResultsThe psychological indicators that were considered presented differences between the evaluated periods. Perceived concerns about the possibility of infecting loved ones and infecting themselves were greatest in the periods after the onset of the pandemic. In addition, the perception of how the work environment worsened and how lack of sleep interfered with their work was also higher in periods 2 and 3. The same results were found in the indicators of depression, anxiety, and intolerance of uncertainty. Finally, the indicators of high tension and concurrent lack of emotional control, which was greater in the last periods evaluated, were also expressed in the coping strategies (showing emotional lability, only contained by hypercontrol).
ConclusionThe differences found in the psychological indicators between the evaluated periods support the need for early psychological care of health personnel which should be a priority of public health and a fundamental fact to increase its immediate effectiveness in the care of infected patients.

研究背景 本研究旨在分析阿根廷境内2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行三个不同阶段中，医护人员所经历的心理困扰差异。具体评估时段为强制隔离政策实施的第三周，以及随后的连续两周。
研究方法 本研究针对1458名医护人员开展问卷调查，问卷内容涵盖医护人员对新冠患者救治工作的担忧、抑郁症状、焦虑状态、不确定性容忍度（intolerance of uncertainty）以及应对方式等维度，对其作答结果进行统计分析。
研究结果 本次纳入评估的各项心理指标在不同阶段间均存在显著差异。医护人员对感染至亲及自身感染的担忧程度，在大流行暴发后的阶段达到最高水平。此外，他们感知到的工作环境恶化程度、睡眠不足对工作的干扰程度，在第二、第三评估阶段同样更为显著。抑郁、焦虑及不确定性容忍度相关指标也呈现出一致的变化趋势。最后，高度紧张与情绪失控并发的指标在最后两个评估阶段更为突出，此类表现在应对策略上体现为情绪易激惹，且仅能通过过度情绪控制加以抑制。
研究结论 本研究发现各评估阶段间心理指标存在显著差异，这表明亟需为医护人员提供早期心理干预服务，而此类服务应作为公共卫生工作的优先事项，亦是提升医护人员感染患者救治即时效能的核心保障。