Konsekwencje długotrwałego zwiększonego obciążenia pracą u pielęgniarek w okresie panowania pandemii wywołanej przez SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Working in a nursing team during a pandemic is particularly stressful due to the risk of own illness and the transmission of the disease to loved ones. Due to the increased exposure to the coronavirus and performing additional activities related to the application of protection against infection at the workplace, the professional tasks of nurses provided for by the standard are burdened with additional effort, not existing in a non-epidemic period. This study draws attention to the health effects of psychophysical burdens felt by nurses of non-public health care facilities of the Capital City of Warsaw due to the increased labour intensity of professional activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis of the research material obtained by the diagnostic survey method showed that the long-term psychophysical workload in the pandemic resulted mainly in the intensification of health problems related to the proper functioning of the locomotor system (spine and legs) and circulation (in the lower limbs). Authors also identified some problems with the deterioration of mental resistance due to long-term stress and concerns about one’s own and relatives’ health.

Keywords

• physical stress at work
• nurses’ work
• long-term stress
• covid-19 pandemic
• non-public health care facilities