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  8. Covid-19-acompanying Research

Covid-19-acompanying Research

BKH Augsburg
BKH Augsburg

TEAM

Research

Current scientific data shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has significant negative impacts on the mental health of the worldwide population. As part of our COVID-19 accompanying research, we focus on examining the impact of the pandemic on mental well-being, working conditions, resilience of medical staff, and patients. Our goal is to reveal the influence of different factors on mental health and resilience and to uncover possible connections in order to specifically support healthcare workers and patients psychologically and psychotherapeutically in times of pandemic.

CURRENT STUDIES

Support I

This is a project funded by the Bavarian State Government for Science and Art to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of family members of patients with dementia.

The SUPPORT I study uses a multimodal design to assess type and frequency of psychological stress and communication barriers experienced by caregiving relatives of dementia patients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic after an acute inpatient admission to the Bezirkskliniken Schwaben. 
Thus, resilience factors and the associated experience of dignity of the target group will be investigated. Furthermore, the challenges of the organizational structure for the care of people with dementia after an acute admission as well as Sars-CoV-2-related changes in the relevant structural characteristics will be evaluated. 
 

Support II

This project is funded by the Bavarian State Government for Science and Art and serves to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of relatives of dementia patients. Within the SUPPORT II study, a group therapeutic support program for relatives of dementia patients will be implemented at the District Hospital Ausgsburg and evaluated with the help of validated questionnaires.

 

Psychological stress among medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: elaboration of preventive strategies and support services

The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant challenges for physicians and nurses. Initial studies, some of them conducted in Augsburg, showed a strong physical and psychological strain on medical stuff caused by COVID-19. The goal of the project is to obtain an estimate of the prevalence of mental illnesses among staff at Augsburg University Medical Center during the pandemic. In addition, specific preventive strategies and support services for medical staff will be developed to provide purposeful psychological and psychotherapeutic support.

(KEY-)PUBLICATIONS

  1. ​​​​​​Halms T, Strasser M, Kunz M, Hasan A. How to Reduce Mental Health Burden in Health Care Workers During COVID-19?-A Scoping Review of Guideline Recommendations. Front Psychiatry. 2022 Jan 20;12:770193. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.770193. PMID: 35126194; PMCID: PMC8811254.

  2. Kramer V, Papazova I, Thoma A, Kunz M, Falkai P, Schneider-Axmann T, Hierundar A, Wagner E, Hasan A. Subjective burden and perspectives of German healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2021 Mar;271(2):271-281. doi: 10.1007/s00406-020- 01183-2. Epub 2020 Aug 19. PMID: 32815019; PMCID: PMC7437642.

  3. Kunz M, Strasser M, Hasan A. Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on healthcare workers: systematic comparison between nurses and medical doctors. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2021 Jul 1;34(4):413-419. doi: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000721. PMID: 34001698; PMCID: PMC8183249.

  4. Reicherts P, Zerbini G, Halms T, Strasser M, Papazova I, Hasan A, &  Kunz M (2022). COVID-19 related psychological burden and potential benefits of vaccination - Data from a repeated cross-sectional survey in healthcare workers. Psychiatry Research Communications, 2, 100054 - 100054.

  5. Wiese E & Häckert J., Würde und Demenz. Info Neurologie & Psychiatrie. In Preparation. Geplant 11 / 2022.

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