Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant psychological impact on the general population and especially significant on the health population. Studies support the appearance of discomfort within health personnel in the centers most affected by the pandemic. The objective of this work is to determine whether the psychological impact between health and non-health workers in a hospital also occurs in less adverse health conditions of the pandemic.

Material and methods

A descriptive observational study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. Job position, work activity during the pandemic, affective and anxious symptoms suffered, taking psychotropic drugs, stressors and preparation to face a similar situation, among others, are collected.

These variables are compared according to the professional group and the work activity carried out with hypothesis contrast tests (Chi-square test for qualitative variables, t-Student test for quantitative variables).

Results

Significant differences are found in anxiety, insomnia, nightmares and irritability, showing higher values in professionals who treat cases of COVID-19. A greater onset of psychotropic drug use is also observed in professionals who regularly treat COVID-19 cases.

Lack of means of protection, concern for hospital organization and fear of contagion are perceived as the greatest stressors.

Nurses and TCAEs belong to the profesional groups with more anxiety and other emotional symptoms.

Conclusions

The pandemic has a significant psychological impact on hospital workers even in centers not overwhelmed by it, being nurse group one of the most affected.

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