Effects of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus on post-traumatic stress disorder and burnout among registered nurses in South Korea

Abstract

Background: The unprecedented nationwide outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavarius (MERS-CoV) from June to July in 2015 took the Korean healthcare system unexpectedly and created physical and psychological stress and trauma to Registered Nurses unprepared to deal with the viral outbreak.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and burnout among Korean registered nurses (RNs).

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional design using a self-administered survey of a convenience sample of 112 Korean RNs. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised-Korean version (IES-R-K) for PTSD and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) for burnout were utilized.

Results: Overall prevalence for symptoms of PTSD was 50.0%. PTSD was significantly correlated to burnout (r = .480, p = .000), especially two burnout subscales, emotional exhaustion (r = .533, p = .000), and depersonalization (r = .497, p = .000).

Conclusions: Future anticipatory guidance and management of traumatic outbreak or disaster should be considered for nurses’ mental health. Public health and safety at the national level must address quality health outcomes for both patients and healthcare professionals alike.