CoPE-HCP: COVID19 and Physical and Emotional wellbeing of HCP [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of COVID-19 on immediate and mid-term physical, behavioural and mental health of healthcare professionals: A cohort study of doctor, nurses and other health care professionals
IRAS ID
284686
Contact name
Ajay Gupta
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint Research Management Office
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The current COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than 3 million people worldwide across more than 200 countries. In the United Kingdom alone, there are almost 160,000 confirmed cases with more than 20,000 deaths. This has undoubtedly had significant physical and economical impact on the public.\n\nHealthcare workers are at high risk of developing life-threatening infectious diseases with increased exposure to patients’ blood and bodily fluids. As such, health care workers arguably experience heightened anxiety and are predisposed to greater negative psycho-social impact from the current COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nThe aim of this study is to evaluate the physical and psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers. This will be performed in two phases. In phase 1, we will collect information to evaluate the current psychiatric symptom profile (in particular, screening for anxiety or depression related symptoms), alcohol use, sleep-related complaints and overall well-being among healthcare workers who participate in this survey (with a focus on junior doctors). In addition, we will assess the association of these mental health and behavioural parameters with the prevalence of stressful occasions, such as long-hours, unpredictability of work / redeployment, availability of personal protection equipment and concerns regarding family/relationship and self.\n\nIn phase 2, we will then reassess for the development or progression of psychiatric symptoms, use of alcohol and other substances, behavioural or interpersonal relationship changes as well as physical well-being at 6 weeks and 4- months. Physical well-being is assessed through the presence of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection and absence from work. Specifically, we will study the impact of variable provision of personal protection equipment (supply and training), extended working hours, and concern for well-being of family members, on work morale and anxiety levels. We aim to also study the longer term mental health consequences of the current pandemic on health care workers.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EE/0166
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion