Research article: Psychological stress of healthcare professionals
caring for pediatric cancer patients during the outbreak of COVID-19
Abstract
Background: In response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the
psychological distress of health care workers (HCWs) is overwhelming,
irrespective of the extent of exposure to infected patients. Infection
control and prevention (ICP) measures for mobile children and youths are
indispensable to contemplate sustainable public health management, but
it is difficult to define the clear trade-offs between ensuring
virus-containing strategy and resuming ordinary childcare. Aim: To
analyze the occupational distress and dilemma of HCWs working on the
pediatric cancer ward as a representative model to conceptualize the
core of anxiety at the childcare frontline. Methods: Qualitative and
quantitative studies using an empirical phenomenological approach and
questionnaire survey from 20 th April to 5 th May 2020. Results: High
confidence in the institutional ICP measures is fundamental to maintain
a strong social responsibility and resilience of HCWs against the
crisis, but they are still under overwhelming anxiety within themselves,
particularly about being infected to become an asymptomatic carrier who
might pass the virus to patients. Both nursing staff and HCWs with less
than 5 years of working experience perceived more intense psychological
distress in comparison with physicians. Conclusion: We would like to
suggest that target approaches, such as activating interpersonal
communication and facilitating ICP adherence, are indispensable to
maintain the safety climate among HCWs. Recognizing the psychological
distress of childcare HCWs is important to mitigate their occupational
distress, but also development of future public health strategy in the
era of COVID-19.