Quarantine is an essential practice during pandemics but it could have negative effects. There are currently no studies on the experiences of health care workers (HCWs) in quarantine during the coronavirus disease pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the psychosocial effects of quarantine on tertiary hospital HCWs who were exposed to coronavirus. A cross-sectional study on the psychological wellbeing, needs and resources of HCWs during quarantine was conducted using an online survey in a large tertiary hospital. In total, 148 quarantined HCWs participated in this study. Overall self-reported psychological wellbeing scores were high (5.22 ± 1.11). Physicians had higher psychological wellbeing compared to nurses (5.58 ± 1.05 and 4.83 ± 1.21, respectively). Being a nurse, separation from family during quarantine, experiencing public shaming and longer quarantine period were associated with lower psychological wellbeing and higher needs. Working from home and confidence in safety at work was associated with fewer needs during quarantine. Nurses might be a risk group for the negative influences of quarantine. The ability to remain connected to work by working from home could have a protective effect on HCWs' psychological wellbeing. More efforts should be implemented in order to support HCWs in quarantine and after their return to work.
Keywords: COVID-19; health care workers; psychological well-being; quarantine; work satisfaction.
During the COVID-19 crisis, health care workers (HCWs) were at the frontline of this pandemic and therefore were exposed to its risks and negative impact. One of the challenges during this time was the frequent quarantines of HCWs as a result of their exposure to patients. Although quarantine is important to stop the infection, it may effect mental and physical health. This study examined HCWs’ experience during quarantine, their well-being and ways of coping. We sent HCWs who are working in a tertiary hospital an online questionnaire and 148 replied. We found that the average well-being of HCWs in quarantine was high, with physicians having the highest reported well-being and nurses having the lowest. HCWs who reported low sense of well-being also reported on having more difficulties coping with the quarantine and reported more public shaming due to being in quarantine. We also found that HCWs who were working from home during quarantine and those who reported they felt safe in their place of work reported less difficulties coping with the quarantine. Our study suggests that nurses are more vulnerable to the negative impact of quarantine. It also suggests that being connected to work during quarantine can improve well-being. It is important to address stigma toward quarantined individuals and to provide more resources to support HCWs in quarantine and after their return to work.
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