Short summary

The study contributes to the body of knowledge in the area of psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on nurses and midwives. The outbreak of COVID-19 is having, and will have, a considerable impact on health services in Denmark. Little is known about the psychosocial effects of this outbreak on health care professionals particularly nurses and midwives who are the largest occupational group in a health service and have direct and intense patient contact. This new knowledge is needed to inform health s

Rationale

Coronavirus, COVID-19, was first identified in China in December 2019. By March 2020, the World Health Organization had declared the COIVD-19 outbreak a pandemic. In order to slow the spread of the virus and 'flatten the curve', a number of measures were implemented in Denmark to ease the potential impact on health services including 'social distancing' and the closure of non-essential services and schools.

Health services have also had to implement a number of measures in response to the outbreak including clinical testing, infection control measures, cancellation or postponement of patient clinics and elective surgeries, limited access for hospital visitors and working from home policies.

However, little is known about the psychosocial impact of such disease outbreaks on health care professionals, particularly nurses and midwives who are the largest occupational group in a health service and have direct and intense patient contact.

The aim of this project is to assess the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on nurses and midwives at Odense University Hospital. The findings will be used to inform health service responses to the current and future outbreaks of infectious diseases and other 'crises'/adverse events.

Description of the cohort

Nurses and midwifes (n=3400) at Odense University Hospital will be invited to complete the questionnaire. Likewise, staff (nurses and midwifes) at large hospital in Melbourne (n=3000 at Western Health) will be invited in a parallel study carried out in Melbourne

Data and biological material

The survey will consist of six sections and assess:

1. sociodemographic and employment characteristics;

2. current health status and emotional distress;

3. concerns about COVID-19;

4. the use and effects of COVID-19 precautionary measures;

5. other effects of Covid-19; and

6. space will be provided at the end of the survey for respondents to make free-text comments.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital

Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia

• PhD, BA, Grad Dip Bud, Grad Dip Arts, MGendStud Sara Holton

Center for Innovative Medical Technology, Odense University Hospital

• PhD, HD(O), RN Mette Maria Skjøth

Western Health, Sunshine Hospital, Melbourne Australia

• RN, MACN Melody Trueman
• Professor, PhD, RN Bodil Rasmussen