A medical worker in protective gear sprays face mist on her colleague at an outdoor clinic for coronavirus tests inside a public health facility in the southwestern city of Gwangju on June 5, 2020, to counter the scorching heat amid a heat wave hitting the region. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 29 (Korea Bizwire) — Nearly 1 in 6 medical workers treating COVID-19 have experienced depression due to prolonged virus battle, a survey showed Wednesday.
Researchers from Ulsan University Hospital and Seoul Asan Medical Center conducted a joint survey of 226 and 298 healthcare workers, respectively, to analyze the psychological impact that the pandemic has had on them.
According to the study, the medical staff showed a high level of anxiety about the risk that their infection could spread into secondary infection. They also felt a high level of stress about having to treat COVID-19 patients.
Among the respondents, 1 in 6 said that they had experienced depression, while 1 in 3 said they had experienced insomnia or a sense of anxiety.
As a way to relieve stress, medical staff who relied on conversation and exercise showed better psychological conditions than others who relied on smoking or alcohol.
In addition, employees with a higher level of resilience turned out to have experienced low levels of anxiety, stress and depression.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
