How anxious were Quebec healthcare professionals during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic? A web-based cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may cause significant anxiety among healthcare professionals (HCPs) COVID-19-related psychological impacts on HCPs in Western countries have received relatively little attention OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the levels of anxiety in HCPs working in the province of Quebec (Canada) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify factors associated with changes in anxiety scores METHODS: An exploratory online cross-sectional survey was conducted among Quebec HCPs from April to July 2020 The Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure state anxiety among HCPs Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed RESULTS: A total of 426 HCPs completed the survey Anxiety scores ranged from 20 to 75 points, with 80 being the highest possible value on the STAI scale Being a female HCP [B=5.89, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.49-9.3] and declaring having the intention to avoid caring for patients with COVID-19 (B=3.75, 95% CI: 1.29-6.22) were associated with increased anxiety scores Having more years of experience was associated with decreased anxiety scores [B=-0.2, 95% CI:-0.32-(-0.08)] CONCLUSION: Organizational strategies aimed at preventing and relieving anxiety should target junior female HCPs who express the intention to avoid caring for patients with COVID-19 Seniority could become an important criterion in selecting frontline HCPs during pandemics Further studies are needed to comprehensively examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian HCPs and identify evidence-based coping strategies