Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung JPK(1), Siu TS(1), Chan YF(1), Tsang KY(1), Chan K(1), Ho S(2), Po MY(3), Lam YM(1), Fu WK(1), Choy YL(1), Lam CY(2), Woo S(2), Wong CK(2), Kong HL(2), Kng PLC(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Community Geriatric Assessment Team, Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals
(2)Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals
(3)Community Health Services, Hong Kong East Cluster
Introduction :
In HKEC, 95 RCHEs (96%) & 3938 elderly (73.19%) had been infected, resulting in approximate 300 deaths during 5th wave of COVID pandemic. Starting from 19/2/2022, HKEC CGAT implemented a daily COVID telemedicine clinic. Up to 5/2022, nearly 3000 consultations & 5000 patient visits (onsite/telecare) were delivered by our CGAT doctors & nurses respectively.
RCHE HCWs work in a close partnership with CGAT to provide collaborative care to our patients. They faced various difficulties during pandemic. However, little is known about the emotional impact & perception of support amongst them during pandemic.
Objectives :
i. to investigate the emotional impact & perception of support from health & social partners;
ii. to understand the difficulties faced;
amongst RCHE HCWs during 5th wave of pandemic
iii. to provide coping skills and resources to HCWs with identified emotional impact
iv. to liaise with RCHEs and external parties for followup discussion and preparing for future pandemic threats
Methodology :
During 14-21 April 2022, all HKEC RCHEs were invited to participate in our survey which consisted of 5 domains, including feeling of RCHE staff, adequacy of support from health & social partners, adequacy of resources & needs of restoring elderly’s quality of life after 5th wave.
Result & Outcome :
The response rate was 98.9%. This survey revealed RCHE HCWs experienced high levels of anxiety of staff safety (85.6%), infecting own family (89.7%) & residents’ health (92.6%). 81.4% of them grieved at the death of residents & more than half (54.7%) felt guilty that they cannot provide usual level of care to residents.
Regarding support, nearly half of them expressed they worried no support from DH (46.4%) & SWD (42.3%). Less than half agreed adequate support from DH. In contrast, majority of them agreed adequate support from CGAT (88.3%).
For resources & supplies, most of them had adequate RAT (85.3%), PPE (71.6%), air purifiers (85.4%) & ipad & WIFI (61.1%). Manpower shortage was the common issue & less than half reported adequate manpower.
This survey found majority of RCHE HCWs were exposed to intense anxiety, feelings of guilty & grief during previous wave of COVID-19 pandemic. 88.3% of them agreed HKEC CGAT provided adequate support during this hard time. After survey, in order to facilitate communication & prepare for next wave, HKEC CGAT organized an online RCHEs forum & invited all HKEC RCHEs, SWD, DH & MOSTE for further discussion on 25/5/2022. CGAT also provided tips & introduced community mental health resources to HCWs. Forum showed all good feedback in strengthening HCWs’ COVID care and more than half built more confidence to combat future pandemic threats.
