Assessing the anxiety levels of doctors and nurses caring for COVID-19 patients using the Beck anxiety inventory

Abstract Objetives: Healthcare professionals and doctors are in the risk group for anxiety because they are in close contact with COVID-19 patients during both prevention and treatment. The aim of this study is to assess the anxiety levels of healthcare professionals during the pandemic and determine their need for psychiatric or psychological care. Methods: The Beck Anxiety Inventory was used to determine the anxiety levels of the study participants. The data were analyzed using the program SPSS 20. In addition to statistical descriptors (mean, standard deviation), statistical analysis was performed using independent samples t-tests. Results: Eighty-four healthcare professionals participated voluntarily and filled out the Beck Anxiety Inventory questionnaire. Forty-five were female and 39 were male. Of the nurses, 80% were female; only 14.7% of doctors were female. Fifty were nurses and 34 were doctors. When we assessed the Beck Anxiety Inventory results, there were no statistically significant differences between men and women (p>0.05). However, anxiety was significantly higher in nurses than doctors (p<0.05). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more anxiety in nurses than doctors and all healthcare professionals are adversely affected.

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