COVID-19 distress affects healthcare and administrative workers equally at a tertiary hospital center in Brazil

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 outbreak exposes healthcare workers to an increased risk of distress and psychiatric symptoms. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate psychological suffering and mental disorders among healthcare workers at a tertiary hospital, a referral center for COVID-19 treatment. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional, quantitative study with descriptive methodology. Fifty-eight healthcare workers who attended consultations at the hospital’s Mental Health Outpatient Clinic were included. The study was carried out after approval by the research ethics committee at the Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (32665020.3.0000.5415). RESULTS: 81% were women, mean age was 38.98±10.6 years, 20 (34.5%) were administrative staff, 24 (41.4%) were attending a first consultation, and 28 had had previous psychiatric attention at other services. Sixteen (28%) reported new symptoms during the pandemic, with anxious (10), irritable (3), and depressive (2) symptoms being the most frequent. Anxiety (26) and depressive disorders (19) were the most prevalent. As for exposure to news, the most common feelings were fear (19) and anguish or concern (9). The most common feelings associated with the pandemic were fear and recurrent thoughts of social and economic impact (27). The main reflections were about the meaning of life (17), human vulnerability (11), and the importance of the family (7). Regarding prospects for the future, 70.7% (41) reported hope for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Initial data suggest a high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as sleep disturbances, regardless of work team. Fear of death and uncertainty about the future are also prevalent. These data reinforce the importance of developing strategies to reduce the risks to this population’s mental health.