Assessment of Emotions and Stress Coping Mechanisms of Healthcare Workers from the Department of Pediatrics at the Philippine General Hospital a Year after the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Objective. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are an often overlooked population in the face of a pandemic. With the
myriad of researches focusing on the effect of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on patients, this study aimed to illuminate the emotions, stressors and stress coping mechanisms of medical frontliners from the Department of Pediatrics working in Philippine General Hospital.

Methods. A quantitative cross-sectional study was done among 130 HCWs ages 21-55 years old, mostly females (72%), recruited through convenience sampling. An adapted questionnaire from China was used and data were analyzed using means, T-test and Anova.

Results. Results showed that HCWs predominantly felt a high sense of professional and ethical duty towards their jobs. Stressors include fear of transmitting the virus to their family and the shortage of manpower, while stressrelievers include knowing that their family are safe and having a good relationship with colleagues. Coping strategies include the use of personal protective measures and the hope of cure motivates them to continue working. Seeking psychiatric help is interestingly one of the least important motivational factors. Nurses, fellows, and residents significantly differ in responses about their feelings, stress-relievers, and coping strategies.

Conclusion. HCWs are a vulnerable population since they endure multiple stressors but they are idealistic and resilient, hence the hospital should give adequate financial compensation and provide good work-life balance.