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Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers in the USA: A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey

Akshar Aiyer*, Salim Surani, Iqbal Ratnani, Sara Surani

The COVID-19 crisis has become the largest crisis in modern times and particularly impacted healthcare workers (HCW) leading to extreme stress due to risk of exposure and health concerns. A web-based survey was conducted using two instruments – the Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4) and the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety-4 (PHQ-4). The survey was administered in the months of March to June during the COVID-19 pandemic to both doctors (MD) and nurses (RN). A total of 569 HCWs completed the questionnaire (50% RNs and 30% MDs). About 42% HCWs screened positive for a mood disorder depression/anxiety based on PHQ-4 of >4, and 49% respondents had an elevated stress level (PSS-4 of >8). A significant gender influence was seen; 69% of HCWs in the high-stress group were female, as compared to 29% males. Gender influence in both PSS-4 and PHQ-4 was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). Significantly higher PHQ-4 and PSS-4 scores were found in RNs compared to MDs. There was a strong correlation between PSS and PHQ scores (r = 0.705). The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an extremely high level of stress and mental health morbidity, especially among nurses and females.