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Caring for COVID-19 patients takes a mental toll

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Chinese researchers say the health care workers on the front-line of COVID-19 have a high risk of developing unfavourable mental health issues, and are likely needing psychological support or interventions. The team surveyed the health care workers at 34 hospitals in the thick of coronavirus treatment and found they were commonly reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and distress. This was especially prevalent in women, nurses, workers in Wuhan, and those people directly involved in taking care of, or diagnosing people with, or suspected to have, COVID-19.

Journal/conference: JAMA Network Open

Link to research (DOI): 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3976

Organisation/s: Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China

Funder: This study was supported by grants 2018YFC1314600 and 2016YFC1307100 from the National Key Research and Development Program of China.

Media Release

From: JAMA

Mental Health of Health Care Workers in China in Hospitals With Patients With COVID-19

JAMA Network Open

About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is the new online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.

What The Study Did: This survey study of almost 1,300 health care workers in China at 34 hospitals equipped with fever clinics or wards for patients with COVID-19 reports on their mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia and distress.

Authors: Zhongchun Liu, M.D., of the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, in Wuhan, and Shaohua Hu, M.D., of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, China, are the corresponding authors.

(10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3976)

Editor’s Note: The study includes funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflicts of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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