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. 2022 Feb:308:114359.
doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114359. Epub 2021 Dec 25.

The mental health impact of contact with COVID-19 patients on healthcare workers in the United States

Kelly T Hurst  1 , Elizabeth D Ballard  2 , Grace E Anderson  3 , Dede K Greenstein  4 , Grace W Cavanaugh  5 , Elspeth Dwyer  6 , Kimberly Swartz  7 , Carlos A Zarate Jr  8 , Joyce Y Chung  9 , Lawrence T Park  10
Affiliations

The mental health impact of contact with COVID-19 patients on healthcare workers in the United States

Kelly T Hurst et al. Psychiatry Res. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

This study assessed the relationship between contact with COVID-19 patients and the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the United States (US). In a convenience sample of 957 HCWs who completed an anonymous online survey between April-May 2020, HCWs who provided direct care to confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients reported increased depressive and posttraumatic symptoms compared to HCWs with no COVID-19 patient contact. Additionally, more frequent contact was associated with higher distress. More data drawn from diverse samples that better represent US HCWs are needed to fully assess the scope of this association.

Keywords: Depression; Pandemic; Posttraumatic stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Zarate is listed as a co-inventor on a patent for the use of ketamine in major depression and suicidal ideation; as a co-inventor on a patent for the use of (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine, (S)-dehydronorketamine, and other stereoisomeric dehydroxylated and hydroxylated metabolites of (R,S)-ketamine metabolites in the treatment of depression and neuropathic pain; and as a co-inventor on a patent application for the use of (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine and (2S,6S)-hydroxynorketamine in the treatment of depression, anxiety, anhedonia, suicidal ideation, and post-traumatic stress disorders. He has assigned his patent rights to the US government but will share a percentage of any royalties that may be received by the government. Dr. Hurst is a contractor for Concentric Methods, Manassas, Virginia. All other authors have no conflict of interest to disclose, financial or otherwise.

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