Work-related factors and mental health in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic – a mixed-methods approach for developing a guideline

The COVID-19 pandemic faced healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide with major challenges, which caused psychological stress and an increased health risk. This study aims to develop and evaluate a guideline for HCWs to prevent stress consequences due to work-related factors during a pandemic. As part of a preliminary phase of the study, a systematic literature review was conducted. Based on the literature review, qualitative interviews were conducted with HCWs (n = 20) about work-related stressors and stress consequences during the pandemic (study phase 1). A guideline for the prevention of stress consequences due to work-related factors in HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic was developed based on the literature review and interviews. In the study phase 2, HCWs (n = 44) evaluated the guideline via questionnaires. The main findings of phase 1 were that the interviews revealed 43 negative stressors (e.g. fear of infection) and 14 stress consequences (e.g. cognitive exhaustion). Participants reported that they mainly compensated for work-related stress in their leisure time, which shows the need for preventive measures during their workday. In phase 2, 90.9% of the participants evaluated the guideline as comprehensible and useful (88.6%). The study provides an in-depth insight into the work-related stress consequences experienced by HCWs. The developed guideline suggests measures to prevent work-related stress and has the potential to prevent consequences of stress in the work context.