Maaike Eken, Phoebe Runciman, Marelise Badenhorst, Cheri Blauwet, Vincent Gouttebarge, Leslie Swartz, Wayne Derman
Abstract
[{"label":"OBJECTIVE","text":"To explore the prevalence of symptoms of mental health conditions and burnout of healthcare professionals (HCPs) working during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games."},{"label":"METHODS","text":"In this cross-sectional, observational study, HCPs working during the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games were asked to complete an online, anonymous survey, which included demographic questions and questions regarding mental health symptoms including depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item depression scale) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale) as well as burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey: depersonalisation, emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment). Correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between demographic characteristics and mental health symptoms."},{"label":"RESULTS","text":"In total, 256 HCPs (of 857 HCPs; 30%) completed the surveys. Twelve and eight per cent of HCP scores fell within the moderate to severe depression and moderate to severe anxiety categories, respectively. More than 30% reported moderate to high burnout (depersonalisation: 36%; emotional exhaustion: 36%; personal accomplishment: 58%). In addition, thoughts of self-harm and\/or suicidality were reported by some HCPs (8%). Weak correlations were observed between age and depression (r=-0.13, p=0.046), anxiety (r=-0.16, p=0.010) and burnout (emotional exhaustion: r=-0.14, p=0.032; personal accomplishment: r=0.27, p<0.001)."},{"label":"CONCLUSION","text":"Although most HCPs reported good mental health, this study suggests that a subset of HCPs experienced symptoms of depression, anxiety, burnout or thoughts of self-harm during the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games. While the generalisability of these findings outside of COVID-19 restrictions should be tested, appropriate guidance and mental health support of HCPs leading up to the Paralympic Games should be prioritised."},{"copyright":"\u00a9 Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ."}]
Address:
Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.; Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, Netherlands.; Section Sports Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.; Amsterdam Collaboration on Health & Safety in Sports (ACHSS), IOC Research Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Musculoskeletal Health, Sports, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Psychology, Alan Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa.; Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
[email protected].; IOC Research Center, Pretoria, South Africa.
