The psychological impact of COVID-19 on Chinese healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

TY - JOUR

T1 - The psychological impact of COVID-19 on Chinese healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AU - Xiong, Nana

AU - Fritzsche, Kurt

AU - Pan, Yiqi

AU - Löhlein, Johanna

AU - Leonhart, Rainer

N1 - © 2022. The Author(s).

PY - 2022/8

Y1 - 2022/8

N2 - PURPOSE: This study aimed at investigating five dimensions of the psychological impact (post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance or profession-related burnout) of COVID-19 on healthcare workers (HCW) in China.METHODS: Studies that evaluated at least one of the five target dimensions of the psychological impact of COVID-19 on HCW in China were included. Studies with no data of our interest were excluded. Relevant Databases were searched from inception up to June 10, 2020. Preprint articles were also included. The methodological quality was assessed using the checklist recommended by AHRQ. Both the rate of prevalence and the severity of symptoms were pooled. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020197126) on July 09, 2020.RESULTS: We included 44 studies with a total of 65,706 HCW participants. Pooled prevalence rates of moderate to severe PTSS, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances were 27% (95% CI 16%-38%), 17% (13-21%), 15% (13-16%), and 15% (7-23%), respectively; while the prevalence of mild to severe level of PTSS, anxiety, and depression was estimated as 31% (25-37%), 37% (32-42%) and 39% (25-52%). Due to the lack of data, no analysis of profession-related burnout was pooled. Subgroup analyses indicated higher prevalence of moderate to severe psychological impact in frontline HCW, female HCW, nurses, and HCW in Wuhan.CONCLUSION: About a third of HCW in China showed at least one dimension of psychological symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas the prevalence of moderate and severe syndromes was relatively low. Studies on profession-related burnout, long-term impact, and the post-stress growth are still needed.

AB - PURPOSE: This study aimed at investigating five dimensions of the psychological impact (post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance or profession-related burnout) of COVID-19 on healthcare workers (HCW) in China.METHODS: Studies that evaluated at least one of the five target dimensions of the psychological impact of COVID-19 on HCW in China were included. Studies with no data of our interest were excluded. Relevant Databases were searched from inception up to June 10, 2020. Preprint articles were also included. The methodological quality was assessed using the checklist recommended by AHRQ. Both the rate of prevalence and the severity of symptoms were pooled. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020197126) on July 09, 2020.RESULTS: We included 44 studies with a total of 65,706 HCW participants. Pooled prevalence rates of moderate to severe PTSS, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances were 27% (95% CI 16%-38%), 17% (13-21%), 15% (13-16%), and 15% (7-23%), respectively; while the prevalence of mild to severe level of PTSS, anxiety, and depression was estimated as 31% (25-37%), 37% (32-42%) and 39% (25-52%). Due to the lack of data, no analysis of profession-related burnout was pooled. Subgroup analyses indicated higher prevalence of moderate to severe psychological impact in frontline HCW, female HCW, nurses, and HCW in Wuhan.CONCLUSION: About a third of HCW in China showed at least one dimension of psychological symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas the prevalence of moderate and severe syndromes was relatively low. Studies on profession-related burnout, long-term impact, and the post-stress growth are still needed.

KW - Anxiety/epidemiology

KW - Burnout, Professional/epidemiology

KW - COVID-19/epidemiology

KW - Depression/epidemiology

KW - Female

KW - Health Personnel/psychology

KW - Humans

KW - Pandemics

U2 - 10.1007/s00127-022-02264-4

DO - 10.1007/s00127-022-02264-4

M3 - SCORING: Review article

C2 - 35325261

VL - 57

SP - 1515

EP - 1529

JO - SOC PSYCH PSYCH EPID

JF - SOC PSYCH PSYCH EPID

SN - 0933-7954

IS - 8

ER -