J Occup Environ Med. 2024 Feb 12. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003066. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We examined the impact of healthcare workers’ (HCWs) adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic on their work-related attitudes and behaviors. Methods: HCWs (N = 1,468) participated in an observational longitudinal study in which they completed surveys of anxiety and occupational health between 2020 and 2021. Results: Most HCWs reported anxiety that was consistently below the diagnostic threshold (68%) or fell below the threshold within a year (16%). Others reported consistently high (14%) or increasing (2%) anxiety, especially women, younger HCWs, those with a weakened immune system, and allied health professionals. Consistently high or increasing anxiety was associated with poorer job satisfaction, work engagement, perceived supervisor support, burnout, and turnover intentions. Conclusions: Resources to support HCWs may be focused on those who report consistently high or increasing anxiety to minimize the effects of crises and disasters on the workforce.

PMID:38349316 | DOI:10.1097/JOM.0000000000003066