Assessment of Mental Health in Healthcare Workers Exposed to COVID-19 Patients

The recent COVID-19 outbreak has put the health care workers on the frontline to interact and provide support to the patients. Based on previous disease outbreak-associated studies, it is evident that these individuals are at a high-risk of developing psychological distress such as burnout, anxiety, depression, and stress (BADS). Thus, the current study aims to evaluate the mental health outcomes of healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19 patients within Qatar and internationally, during and after the COVID-19 crisis. The participants will be divided into two groups: those working with COVID-19 patients and those not working with COVID-19 patients. The magnitude of symptoms of BADS will be assessed using electronic versions of the standardized questionnaires: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and Conditions for Work Effectiveness (CWEQ). A follow-up survey will be sent to both groups after the COVID-19 crisis to assess their vulnerability to develop post-trauma stress disorder (PTSD) using a PDS-5 survey.