Changes in the psychophysiological parameters of nurses in military medical institutions when working in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative study

OBJECTIVE. Compare the psychophysiological parameters of nurses in military medical institutions under normal conditions and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The object of the study is the working capacity of medical nurses with a therapeutic profile in military medical institutions belonging to the Saratov garrison’s area of responsibility. A total of 200 people were examined. The study included specialists with secondary or higher medical education who worked in inpatient military medical institutions in Saratov and the Saratov region. All nurses were divided into two groups of 100 people. The first group (group A) included nurses who worked under normal conditions without exposure to extreme factors, while the second group (group B) included nurses who worked under extreme conditions caused by the new COVID-19 coronavirus infection. The participants’ main psychophysiological parameters were examined.

RESULTS. The study found that increased stress caused by the intensity of work during the COVID-19 pandemic leads to changes in key psychophysiological parameters. The severity of these changes depends on age group: they have the least impact on young people and the greatest impact on the elderly, which may affect the nurses’ health.

DISCUSSION. Thus, the study shows that during the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus infection COVID-19, there is an increased psychophysiological load on nurses in military medical institutions. At the same time, there is not enough time allocated for rest between shifts during periods of increased stress, and the body does not have time to recover, which undoubtedly affects both physical and psychological health. The resulting overload leads to the accelerated development of emotional burnout, which also reduces the performance of nurses.

COLCUSION. Studies show that the stress and intensity of work experienced by nurses in military medical organizations undoubtedly affect their psychophysiological parameters. These parameters change significantly under conditions of increased stress caused by the extreme circumstances of working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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