The effect of the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers

Aim: The riskiest working group in pandemics is healthcare workers. This study sought to determine the effect of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers. Material and Methods: The study, designed as a case-control, clinical observation study, was conducted on healthcare workers working in pandemic clinics during the pandemic period. One hundred fifty-three healthcare workers included. The study form included demographic data, marital status, working hours, job, Insomnia Severity Index, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Beck's Depression Inventory, and clinical questions. Turkish-adapted versions of all scales were applied. Results: In our clinical observation study, 26.2% of healthcare professionals working in pandemic clinics during the pandemic period were depressed (according to Beck's Depression Inventory), 39.8% had moderate and severe depression (according to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and 58.6% had insomnia (according to the Insomnia Severity Index). However, there was no significant difference between the subgroups of health workers in terms of depression and insomnia. Discussion: All medical and non-medical healthcare workers working in COVID 19 clinics during the pandemic have been widely adversely affected by the process.