[Psychosocial distress, needs and resources among healthcare professionals on German intensive care units: Questionnaire survey].

Abstract

The aim of this explorative study was to quantify psychosocial distress, needs and resources among German intensive care unit (ICU) healthcare professionals.An anonymous online survey was used to collect data from N=73 healthcare professionals working in German ICUs. Various stress factors and resources were recorded on an individual, interpersonal, work-related and structural level, using validated questionnaire measures (PSC-4, TAA-KH-S, irritation scale, COPSOQ), among others. In addition, needs for psychosocial support measures were determined using self-developed items and in free text format.For more than 50% of respondents, the PSC-4, the subscales of the TAA-KH-S and the irritation scale were in the marginal or critical range. Regarding the COPSOQ, there were meaningful differences to the overall population on the subscales Emotional Demands, Hiding Emotions, Work-Privacy Conflicts, Dissolution and Recognition, indicating increased stress in our sample. With regard to desired support measures, the demand for psychological support on and off the ward was evident in two thirds of respondents. Over 90% rated the establishment of a team-integrated psychologist as somewhat or very useful.Increased stress is particularly evident at an individual, work-related and structural level, while existing resources were primarily expressed at an individual and interpersonal level. There is a great desire to expand structural, psychosocial support measures among the majority of respondents.The results underline the need for action identified by professional associations regarding the expansion of support services.