Johann Smilla, Evans Megan, Böttcher Rike, Muller Nadine, Buchberger Barbara, El Bcheraoui Charbel, Weishaar Heide
Evidence-Based Public Health Unit, Centre for International Health Protection, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Speciality Network Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Sep 26;12(19):1933. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12191933.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The previous literature has identified increased work-related stress among healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzes work-related perceived stress experienced by therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany to identify potential for supporting this crucial group of HCWs in future health crises.
Survey data on stress, measured through the Perceived Stress Scale 4, among HCWs (therapists n = 612, nurses n = 501, and doctors n = 461) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and data from four semi-structured interviews and seven focus group discussions with therapists were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Data were collected from March to September 2022.
Therapists reported similar stress levels to other HCWs, with the reporting of perceived stress differing between work contexts. Eight stressors were identified through the thematic analysis: (1) concerns about maintaining the quality of care, (2) uncertainty about the future, (3) workload, (4) interactions with colleagues and patients, (5) PPE, (6) the risk of infection, (7) insufficient information flow, and (8) the lack of public and political recognition.
This study emphasizes the distinct challenges that therapists experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. By identifying the factors that contributed to the stress experienced, the study can inform targeted support strategies which can enhance therapists' work, ultimately contributing to sustaining essential healthcare services during public health crises.
背景/目的：先前的文献已经指出，在新冠疫情期间医护人员的工作压力有所增加。本研究分析了德国治疗师在新冠疫情期间所感受到的与工作相关的压力，以确定在未来的健康危机中支持这一关键医护群体的潜力。
使用描述性统计分析了医护人员（治疗师n = 612、护士n = 501、医生n = 461）通过感知压力量表4测量的压力调查数据，并使用主题内容分析法分析了与治疗师进行的四次半结构化访谈和七次焦点小组讨论的数据。数据收集于2022年3月至9月。
治疗师报告的压力水平与其他医护人员相似，不同工作环境下感知到的压力报告有所不同。通过主题分析确定了八个压力源：（1）对维持护理质量的担忧，（2）对未来的不确定性，（3）工作量，（4）与同事和患者的互动，（5）个人防护装备，（6）感染风险，（7）信息流不足，以及（8）缺乏公众和政治认可。
本研究强调了治疗师在新冠疫情期间所经历的独特挑战。通过确定导致压力的因素，该研究可为有针对性的支持策略提供信息，从而改善治疗师的工作，最终有助于在公共卫生危机期间维持基本医疗服务。
