Interconnections between psychosocial factors in post-COVID-19 pandemic health personnel in Ecuador

Abstract

It describes how psychosocial factors include interactions between working conditions, economic and social factors, and individual characteristics. These factors can generate physical and emotional pathologies, such as deafness or emotional and cognitive disorders. interconnections between these factors in three fundamental aspects of the provision of health services: productivity, employee well-being and the impact on family relationships, which constitutes the objective of the research. A survey of 120 hospital workers in Ecuador was used to evaluate their experiences during the pandemic. Various aspects were explored such as work stress, availability of resources, emotional and social support, and how the pandemic affected their personal and family life. Women, predominantly present in the first line of defense, were found to face significantly higher risks of infection and stress. Roles within the hospital showed variations in staff experience during the pandemic, with nurses facing particular challenges due to their direct and constant contact with infected patients. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were performed to better understand the data collected and uncover relevant patterns related to staff well-being and productivity. The results highlight the importance of adequate and specific psychosocial support measures to manage health crises, avoiding excessive medicalization of natural responses to severe stress situations. A more comprehensive approach combining emotional and social support is suggested to improve staff well-being during future crises.