![]() Given the large differences in the response of individuals to stress, an evaluation of both the perceived and physiological consequences of the stressor could provide a more comprehensive overview of its impact and an understanding of who is at risk from the deleterious physical effects of chronic stress. ![]() However, the cumulative burden of stress, or allostatic load, can alter and impair the response of these systems and result in deleterious physical effects on processes ranging from immune function to cardiovascular health. Systems such as the ANS promote adaption to stressors. ![]() ANS function can be ascertained through measurement of heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems’ impact on cardiac contractility through calculation of changes in the beat-to-beat intervals. Smartphone apps can be used to administer surveys and integrate wearable devices, such as the Apple Watch, to monitor the autonomic nervous system (ANS), a primary component of the stress response. Identification of at-risk HCWs will allow for the appropriate allocation of mental health resources.Īdvances in digital technology provide a means to address these limitations. However, there is limited longitudinal data on the pandemic’s psychological impact on this group and across health care occupations, no means to identify which HCWs are at risk of developing psychological sequela over time, and no objective evaluation of the stress response among HCWs. HCWs working in wards serving patients with COVID-19 reported higher levels of stress, exhaustion, depressive mood, and burnout. Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that frontline HCWs are at a high risk of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and distress compared to the general population. However, the scale and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic have further amplified the risk of these adverse outcomes. Prior pandemics have had psychological effects on HCWs, increasing posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety. Increasing rates of SARS-CoV-2 infections and hospitalizations, growing workloads, and concern regarding personal protective equipment have resulted in a large psychological burden on health care workers (HCWs).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |