Working conditions and depressive symptomatology in intensive care nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic           /            Condições de trabalho e sintomatologia depressiva em enfermeiros intensivistas durante a pandemia Covid-19

Giovanni Roberto Zucoloto; João Fernando  Marcolan

doi:10.9789/2175-5361.rpcfo.v15.12757

Authors

Giovanni Roberto Zucoloto Federal University of São Paulo https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8928-2102
João Fernando Marcolan Federal University of São Paulo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8881-7311

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9789/2175-5361.rpcfo.v15.12757

Keywords:

Depression, Occupational health, Intensive care units, Work conditions, COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: to analyze working conditions associated with depressive symptoms in intensive care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: qualitative research, content analysis; with nurses from ICUs at a hospital in São Paulo/SP; semi-structured questionnaire interview. Results: 68 participants from 9 ICUs, mostly female, 28-45 years old; time since graduation, institution working, insitution ICU experience and ICU nursing experience between 1-8 years; without other job; weekly workload 38 - 60 h -more; 10 with previous depression diagnosis, 16 with mild, moderate depression. Working conditions related to depressive symptoms: overload due to workload intensity and emergency admission of untrained professionals to the ICU; absent boss; uninterested colleagues; impotence/suffering by patients, deaths; material shortfall; infecting family members fear; family discrimination for being on the front lines; afraid to get infected. Negative influence on the assistance provided. Final considerations: depressive symptoms associated with inadequate working conditions in ICUs, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Author Biographies

Giovanni Roberto Zucoloto, Federal University of São Paulo

Enfermeiro. Mestrado em Ciência da Saúde pela Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP e participante do Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisas Interdisciplinares em Saúde Mental – GEPISM/UNIFESP. Especialização em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e em Formação de Docente para Ensino em Enfermagem. Experiência assistencial em UTI há 14 anos.

João Fernando Marcolan, Federal University of São Paulo

Enfermeiro. Doutor em Enfermagem. Professor orientador no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de São Paulo/UNIFESP. Experiência na assistência, ensino e pesquisa na área de Saúde Mental.

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