The Impact of COVID-19 on Home Healthcare Workers: Results From The Healthcare Worker Exposure Response and Outcomes (HERO) Registry

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted home healthcare (HHC) as a crucial part of the healthcare industry that faced challenges related to staffing, exposure, and limited access to personal protective equipment. It was unknown how these challenges impacted the well-being of these workers. This analysis summarizes data from the Healthcare Worker Exposure Response and Outcomes (HERO) study participants who reported employment as home healthcare workers (HHCWs): describing their personal health and other self-reported items from May 2020 through December 2021. HERO, an online research registry, was developed to understand the experience of healthcare workers and their communities during the pandemic. Descriptive data analysis included demographics, vaccination status, exposure, hours worked, and medical history. We analyzed the level of reported burnout and depression, and overall physical and mental health wellbeing in three 6-month time frames (May-December 2020; January-June 2021; July-December 2021). About 1139 HHCWs enrolled in the HERO registry as of January 2022. Participants were 91.2% female, with a mean age of 41.8 years (SD = 11.6). More than half of the sample identified as White (58.8%). From May 2020 through December 2021, HHCWs reported an upward trend in the level of burnout; a significant decrease in mental health scores; and a significant change in the percentage reporting depression. Over 25% of open responses indicated HHCWs have concerns about stress, mental health, burnout, and personal protective equipment use. Between May 2020 and December 2021, HHCWs reported increasing levels of burnout, depression, and declining mental health status. Strategies are needed to continually assess level and causes of stress among HHCW in order to mitigate incidence of burnout and depression.

Duke Scholars

Author Emily O'Brien Population Health Sciences