Dataset Information

Exploring the psychological impact of contact tracing work on staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Contact tracing is a key control measure in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While quantitative research has been conducted on the psychological impact of the pandemic on other frontline healthcare workers, none has explored the impact on contact tracing staff.

Methods

A longitudinal study was conducted using two repeated measures with contact tracing staff employed in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic using two-tailed independent samples t tests and exploratory linear mixed models.

Results

The study sample included 137 contact tracers in March 2021 (T1) and 218 in September 2021 (T3). There was an increase from T1 to T3 in burnout related exhaustion (p < 0·001), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom scores (p < 0·001), mental distress (p < 0·01), perceived stress (p < 0·001) and tension and pressure (p < 0·001). In those aged 18-30, there was an increase in exhaustion related burnout (p < 0·01), PTSD symptoms (p < 0·05), and tension and pressure scores (p < 0·05). Additionally, participants with a background in healthcare showed an increase in PTSD symptom scores by T3 (p < 0·001), reaching mean scores equivalent to those of participants who did not have a background in healthcare.

Conclusions

Contact tracing staff working during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced an increase in adverse psychological outcomes. These findings highlight a need for further research on psychological supports required by contact tracing staff with differing demographic profiles.

SUBMITTER: Fulham-McQuillan H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10250071 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Exploring the psychological impact of contact tracing work on staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fulham-McQuillan Hugh H O'Donovan Róisín R Buckley Claire M CM Crowley Philip P Gilmore Brynne B Martin Jennifer J McAuliffe Eilish E Martin Gregory G Moore Gemma G Morrissey Mary M Nicholson Emma E Shé Éidín Ní ÉN O'Hara Mary Clare MC Segurado Ricardo R Sweeney Mary Rose MR Wall Patrick P De Brún Aoife A

BMC health services research 20230608 1

<h4>Background</h4>Contact tracing is a key control measure in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While quantitative research has been conducted on the psychological impact of the pandemic on other frontline healthcare workers, none has explored the impact on contact tracing staff.<h4>Methods</h4>A longitudinal study was conducted using two repeated measures with contact tracing staff employed in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic using two-tailed independent samples t tests and explorator ...[more]

PMID: 37291553

Similar Datasets

Project description:Objective Contact tracing is one of the key public health response actions to control the outbreak of a novel virus. This paper describes the preparation process, activation and operational experience for contact tracing of individuals in response to confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wales. Study design A descriptive approach has been adopted and lessons learned from our initial public health response to COVID-19 will be used to develop a new operational model for contact tracing in Wales. Methods As part of preparations for the response in Wales, Public Health Wales formed a Contact Tracing Cell (CTC) ready to be mobilised in the event of a confirmed case. Results Trial activation of the CTC during the preparation period helped to resolve some issues before ‘real’ activation. A highly flexible approach was needed due to the constant changes to the guidance that required rapid understanding, updates to pathways and clear communication to contact tracers. Conclusions Our experience and recommendations may benefit future efforts to control the spread of the virus in Wales and elsewhere, particularly in supporting COVID-19 outbreaks in enclosed settings such as care homes or in geographically localised areas. Learning from the initial public health response to COVID-19 will guide the delivery and implementation of a new contact tracing model as we move to a later stage of the pandemic when containment measures become feasible in localised outbreaks. This may include scaling-up the CTC to mobilise contact tracers to local teams and the potential use of digital technologies to support the next operational model of the CTC in Wales. Highlights • Contact tracing is one of the key public health response actions to control the outbreak of a novel virus.• For a CTC to be effective, identification and training of adequate numbers of staff needs to be done as early as possible.• A highly flexible approach was needed due to the logistical complexities of dealing with constant changes to the guidelines.• The mobilisation of non-health protection staff freed up health protection teams to deal with more complex issues.• Learning is needed to enhance future contact tracing activities when containment becomes feasible in localised outbreaks.

Dataset Information

Exploring the psychological impact of contact tracing work on staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Exploring the psychological impact of contact tracing work on staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similar Datasets

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