open access
The experience of quarantine among employees of the National Medical Rescue System during the COVID-19 pandemic
, 2
Affiliations- Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Collegium Medicum of L. Rydygier, Bydgoszcz, Poland
- University Hospital No. 2 of Jan Biziel, Bydgoszcz, Poland
open access
Abstract
Introduction: For healthcare professionals, working during the coronavirus pandemic is a psychological burden. One aspect of the pandemic is the compulsory quarantine or isolation related to suspected or contracting COVID-19.
Aim of the study: The aim of this research is to analyze the subjective feelings and experiences of workers in emergency departments and emergency medical teams that were subjected to quarantine or isolation during the first stage of the pandemic.
Material and methods: The research was performed from December 2020 to February 2021 using a survey questionnaire among the workers of the Emergency Medical Services, who in the first stage of the pandemic have undergone quarantine as a result of suspected COVID-19 infection. 89 workers were included in this study. Most of the participants worked in the ED. The mean age of the participants was 31.5 ± 8.94 years. The mean value of the entities’ work experience was 8.4 ± 9.6 years.
Conclusions: Medical staff undergoing quarantine experience feelings of a different mood, anxiety, irritability, anxiety, and stress. After quarantine, they valued their health and contact with other people. Medical personnel did not use psychological assistance during quarantine. Employee isolation can be a source of both positive and negative experience. The experience of quarantine was influenced by the gender, form of employment, place of work, and age of the respondents. There is a need for further research on the mental well-being of healthcare professionals and coping with stress in crisis situations.
Abstract
Introduction: For healthcare professionals, working during the coronavirus pandemic is a psychological burden. One aspect of the pandemic is the compulsory quarantine or isolation related to suspected or contracting COVID-19.
Aim of the study: The aim of this research is to analyze the subjective feelings and experiences of workers in emergency departments and emergency medical teams that were subjected to quarantine or isolation during the first stage of the pandemic.
Material and methods: The research was performed from December 2020 to February 2021 using a survey questionnaire among the workers of the Emergency Medical Services, who in the first stage of the pandemic have undergone quarantine as a result of suspected COVID-19 infection. 89 workers were included in this study. Most of the participants worked in the ED. The mean age of the participants was 31.5 ± 8.94 years. The mean value of the entities’ work experience was 8.4 ± 9.6 years.
Conclusions: Medical staff undergoing quarantine experience feelings of a different mood, anxiety, irritability, anxiety, and stress. After quarantine, they valued their health and contact with other people. Medical personnel did not use psychological assistance during quarantine. Employee isolation can be a source of both positive and negative experience. The experience of quarantine was influenced by the gender, form of employment, place of work, and age of the respondents. There is a need for further research on the mental well-being of healthcare professionals and coping with stress in crisis situations.
Keywords
quarantine, COVID-19, Medical Rescue System
About this articleTitle
The experience of quarantine among employees of the National Medical Rescue System during the COVID-19 pandemic
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
114-122
Published online
2022-04-19
Page views
4136
Article views/downloads
302
DOI
Bibliographic record
Medical Research Journal 2022;7(2):114-122.
Keywords
quarantine
COVID-19
Medical Rescue System
Authors
Anna M. Burak
Dominika Grzonkowska
References (21)- Song X, Fu W, Liu X, et al. Mental health status of medical staff in emergency departments during the Coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic in China. Brain Behav Immun. 2020; 88: 60–65.
- Gniadek A, Nawara W, Padykuła M, et al. Polska pielęgniarka w czasie pandemii zakażeń SARS-CoV-2 – różne perspektywy wykonywania zawodu. Zdrowie Publiczne i Zarządzanie. 2020; 18(2): 149–154.
- Act of 5 December 2008 on prevention and control of infections and infectious diseases in humans, Dz.U. 2008 nr 234 poz. 1570, articles 34-36. https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20082341570 (11.01.2021).
- Litwin A, Masiak J. Mental disorders in people infected with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 – literature review. Polish Journal of Public Health. 2020; 129(4): 141–144.
- Brooks SK, Dunn R, Amlôt R, et al. A systematic, thematic review of social and occupational factors associated with psychological outcomes in healthcare employees during an infectious disease outbreak. J Occup Environ Med. 2018; 60(3): 248–257.
- WHO. Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak. Geneva, 18 March 2020. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/331490 (11.01.2021).
- Horosz P, Grzesiok-Horosz A. The Protection of Image in Media in the Time of a Pandemic. Zarządzanie mediami. 2021; 9(2): 355–368.
- Babicki M, Mastalerz-Migas A. The occurrence of anxiety disorders among Poles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatr Pol. 2021; 55(3): 497–509.
- Filgueiras A, Stults-Kolehmainen M. The Relationship Between Behavioural and Psychosocial Factors Among Brazilians in Quarantine Due to COVID-19. SSRN Electronic Journal. .
- Rubin GJ, Wessely S. The psychological effects of quarantining a city. BMJ. 2020; 368: m313.
- Xiao C. A Novel Approach of Consultation on 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)-Related Psychological and Mental Problems: Structured Letter Therapy. Psychiatry Investig. 2020; 17(2): 175–176.
- Kmietowicz Z. Rules on isolation rooms for suspected covid-19 cases in GP surgeries to be relaxed. BMJ. 2020; 368: m707.
- Wang Y, Di Yu, Ye J, et al. Study on the public psychological states and its related factors during the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in some regions of China. Psychol Health Med. 2021; 26(1): 13–22.
- Hawryluck L, Gold WL, Robinson S, et al. SARS control and psychological effects of quarantine, Toronto, Canada. Emerg Infect Dis. 2004; 10(7): 1206–1212.
- Roy D, Tripathy S, Kar SK, et al. Study of knowledge, attitude, anxiety & perceived mental healthcare need in Indian population during COVID-19 pandemic. Asian J Psychiatr. 2020; 51: 102083.
- Wu P, Fang Y, Guan Z, et al. The psychological impact of the SARS epidemic on hospital employees in China: exposure, risk perception, and altruistic acceptance of risk. Can J Psychiatry. 2009; 54(5): 302–311.
- Cava MA, Fay KE, Beanlands HJ, et al. The experience of quarantine for individuals affected by SARS in Toronto. Public Health Nurs. 2005; 22(5): 398–406.
- Talarowska M, Chodkiewicz J, Nawrocka N, et al. Mental health and the SARS-COV-2 epidemic - polish research study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020; 17(19).
- Silczuk A. Threatening increase in alcohol consumption in physicians quarantined due to coronavirus outbreak in Poland: the ALCOVID survey. J Public Health (Oxf). 2020; 42(3): 461–465.
- Wu P, Liu X, Fang Y, et al. Alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms among hospital employees exposed to a SARS outbreak. Alcohol Alcohol. 2008; 43(6): 706–712.
- Huang J, Liu F, Teng Z, et al. Care for the psychological status of frontline medical staff fighting against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Clin Infect Dis. 2020; 71(12): 3268–3269.