Mental health of flight nurses during an epidemic of novel coronavirus infection

Abstract

　The purpose of this study was to clarify the actual mental health status of flight nurses during a novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) epidemic and to provide basic data for future mental health care measures. 　The survey was conducted by means of a Web-based questionnaire targeting flight nurses working at doctor-helicopter base hospitals throughout Japan.154 flight nurses responded, with an average age of 39.7 years. 4.2 was the average K6 score and 57.9 was the average SOC-13 score, indicating that flight nurses felt workload and psychological stress related to infection prevention measures. 　In addition, infection prevention measures and concerns about infection to themselves and their families were major stressors. During the COVID-19 outbreak, flight nurses felt the workload and psychological stress associated with infection prevention measures, but they were also engaged in their work with a sense of mission. In order to support the mental health of flight nurses, it is important to develop a support system to enhance their stress coping skills.