Experiences and well-being of healthcare professionals working in the field of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynaecology as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic were evolving: a cross-sectional survey study
Journal
BMJ Open
ISSN
2044-6055
2044-6055
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Tom Bourne
Christopher Kyriacou
Harsha Shah
Jolien Ceusters
Jessica Preisler
Ulrike Metzger
Chiara Landolfo
Christoph Lees
Dirk Timmerman
Type
Resource Types::text::journal::journal article
URL Institutional Repository
Abstract
<jats:sec><jats:title>Objective</jats:title><jats:p>Assess experience of healthcare professionals (HCPs) working with ultrasound in obstetrics and gynaecology during the evolving SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, given the new and unprecedented challenges involving viral exposure, personal protective equipment (PPE) and well-being.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Design</jats:title><jats:p>Prospective cross-sectional survey study.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Setting</jats:title><jats:p>Online international survey. Single-best, open box and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questions.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Participants</jats:title><jats:p>The survey was sent to 35 509 HCPs in 124 countries and was open from 7 to 21 May 2020. 2237/3237 (69.1%) HCPs from 115 countries who consented to participate completed the survey. 1058 (47.3%) completed the HADS.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Primary outcome measures</jats:title><jats:p>Overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, depression and anxiety among HCPs in relation to country and PPE availability.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Analyses</jats:title><jats:p>Univariate analyses were used to investigate associations without generating erroneous causal conclusions.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Confirmed/suspected SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was 13.0%. PPE provision concerns were raised by 74.1% of participants; highest among trainees/resident physicians (83.9%) and among HCPs in Spain (89.7%). Most participants worked in self-perceived high-risk areas with SARS-CoV-2 (67.5%–87.0%), with proportionately more trainees interacting with suspected/confirmed infected patients (57.1% vs 24.2%–40.6%) and sonographers seeing more patients who did not wear a mask (33.3% vs 13.9%–7.9%). The most frequent PPE combination used was gloves and a surgical mask (22.3%). UK and US respondents reported spending less time self-isolating (8.8 days) and lower satisfaction with their national pandemic response (37.0%–43.0%). 19.8% and 8.8% of respondents met the criteria for moderate to severe anxiety and depression, respectively.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>Reported prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in HCPs is consistent with literature findings. Most respondents used gloves and a surgical mask, with a greater SARS-CoV-2 prevalence compared with those using ‘full’ PPE. HCPs with the least agency (trainees and sonographers) were not only more likely to see high-risk patients but also less likely to be protected. A fifth of respondents reported moderate to severe anxiety.</jats:p></jats:sec>
Subjects
ultrasound
;
ultrasonography
;
gynaecology
;
ultrasonography
;
public health
;
covid-19
;
cross-sectional studies
;
delivery of health care
;
female
;
gynecology
;
health personnel
;
humans
;
obstetrics
;
pandemics
;
pregnancy
;
prospective studies
;
sars-cov-2
;
surveys and questionnaires
;
adult
;
anxiety disorder
;
article
;
comorbidity
;
controlled study
;
coronavirus disease 2019
;
covid-19 testing
;
cross-sectional study
;
demographics
;
depression
;
echography
;
experience
;
exposure
;
female
;
gynecology
;
health care personnel
;
health care survey
;
health survey
;
home quarantine
;
hospital anxiety and depression scale
;
human
;
male
;
obstetrics
;
outcome assessment
;
pandemic
;
prevalence
;
prospective study
;
protective equipment shortage
;
psychological well-being
;
questionnaire
;
recycling
;
resident
;
risk assessment
;
satisfaction
;
sonographer
;
treatment response
;
workplace
;
gynecology
;
health care delivery
;
health care personnel
;
obstetrics
;
pregnancy