Long-term mental health impact of COVID-19 on primary care health workers in northern Spain: Results from a two-phase longitudinal study

Autores de IDIVAL

• Ana Fátima Viejo Casas

  Autor

• 

  Marcos Gómez Revuelta

  Autor

• Urko Merino Garay

  Autor

• Francisco Ruiz Guerrero

  Autor

• Mario Ruiz Nuñez

  Autor

• Paricia Fernandez Solla

  Autor

• Roberto Garrastazu Lopez

  Autor

• Juan Carlos Lopez Caro

  Autor

• Elsa García Rumayor

  Autor

• Laura Boada Anton

  Autor

• 

  María Juncal Ruiz

  Autor

• 

  Víctor Ortíz García De La Foz

  Autor

• 

  Javier Vázquez Bourgon

  Autor

Unidades

• 

  INVESTIGACIÓN EN ENFERMEDADES MENTALES

• PSIQUIATRÍA Y SALUD MENTAL

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of the general population, and in particular of health professionals. Primary care personnel are at greater risk due to being highly exposed to the disease and working regularly in direct contact with patients suffering COVID-19. However, there is not sufficient evidence on the long-term psychological impact these professionals may suffer. We aimed to explore the long-term psychological impact of COVID-19 on primary care professionals. Methods: We applied a two-phase design; a self-reported psychopathology screening (PHQ-9, GAD-7, ISI and IES-R) in phase-1, and a specialised psychiatric evaluation (MINI, HDRS and STAI) in phase-2 to confirm phase-1 results. Evaluations were carried at the beginning of the pandemic (May-June 2020) (n = 410) and one year later (n = 339). Chi-square, ANOVA and logistic regression tests were used for statistical analyses. Results: Primary care professionals presented high rates of depression, anxiety and psychological distress, measured by PHQ-9, GAD-7 and IES-R respectively, during the pandemic. Depressive symptoms' severity (PHQ-9: 7.5 vs 8.4, p = 0.013) increased after one year of COVID-19 pandemic. After one year nearly 40% of subjects presented depression. Being women, having suffered COVID-19 or a relative with COVID-19, and being a front-line professional were risk factors for presenting depression and anxiety. Conclusion: Primary Care professionals in Cantabria present a poor mental health during COVID-19 pandemic, which has even worsened at long-term, presenting a greater psychopathology severity one year after. Thus, it is critical implementing prevention and early-treatment programmes to help these essential professionals to cope with the pandemic. (c) 2023 SEP y SEPB. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

© 2023 SEP y SEPB. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Keywords

• Psychological impact; COVID-19; Pandemic; Long-term; Impacto psicológico; COVID-19; Pandemia; Largo plazo