A pre/post analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychosocial work environment and recovery among healthcare workers in a large university hospital in Sweden
Journal article, 2021

Background: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workload, mental health, and well-being of healthcare workers, and particularly those on the front-line, has received considerable attention. Design and methods: We surveyed hospital employees about their working environment during the pandemic and identified departments which were negatively affected in comparison to the pre-pandemic situation, as well as factors contributing to this. Setting and participants We surveyed all hospital employees at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden in September 2020 and compared results across departments and to the results of a large employee survey from October 2019. Results: The overall impact of the pandemic on perceived working conditions and possibility for recovery differed among departments. During the pandemic, healthcare workers working with COVID-19 patients reported poorer working environments than other employees. Factors significantly related to perception of work environment and recovery during the pandemic included worries of being infected, departmental transfer, and having insufficient access to personal protective equipment. Men reported better working conditions than women in all, but one item and higher age was related to better perceived working environment. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the pandemic differentially affects hospital departments and underscores the multifactorial nature of this topic. Contributing factors to poor perceived working environment could be addressed at times of high workload, such as during the pandemic, including providing appropriate support to managers, ensuring possibility for recovery during working hours, and acknowledging worries about infection. Young healthcare workers and staff who are relocated due to the pandemic warrant special attention.

work environment

health care workers

hospital staff

COVID-19

Author

Ingibjorg H. Jonsdottir

University of Gothenburg

Alessio Degl'Innocenti

University of Gothenburg

Linda Ahlstrom

University of Gothenburg

Caterina Finizia

University of Gothenburg

Helle Wijk

University of Gothenburg

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Building Design

Magnus Akerstrom

University of Gothenburg

Journal of Public Health Research

2279-9028 (ISSN) 2279-9036 (eISSN)

Vol. 10 4 2329

Subject Categories

Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy

Work Sciences

Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences

DOI

10.4081/jphr.2021.2329

PubMed

34278769

More information

Latest update

3/3/2022 2