北海道の看護師7割が「精神的負担」 感染恐怖、中傷も

70% nurses in Hokkaido are mentally-burdened with infection and slander

Hokkaido will extend the intensive measures period to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection until January 15th next year. Requests for business holidays to entertainment restaurants in Sapporo City will be made until December 25, but during the year-end and New Year holidays when the number of people moving increases, we will call on the entire prefecture to take thorough infection prevention measures. In addition, the Self-Defense Forces supported the city of Asahikawa, where the medical system was in jeopardy due to the outbreak of clusters (infectious disease groups) in hospitals, on the morning of the 9th.

On the 9th, the Federation of Medical Workers' Unions (Zenroren) announced the results of an urgent questionnaire to nurses working at medical institutions and long-term care facilities in Hokkaido. Approximately 60% felt a physical burden and 70% felt a mental burden due to the rapid spread of the new coronavirus infection.

The questionnaire was given in writing to 305 nurses working in hospitals and long-term care facilities throughout Hokkaido from November 16th to December 3rd, when the number of infections increased rapidly. The most common answer for "It's hard to work now" was "Mental burden" at 73.4%. This was followed by "physical burden" at 65.2%, "wage/working conditions" at 54.4%, and "slander" at 12.8%.

As for the content of mental-burden, "fear/anxiety about infection" was the most common at 35%, and "behavioral restriction" and "overloading job" were both 8.2%. As for the content of physical burden, "insufficient personnel" was 22.5% and "increased workload" was 13.2%.

"The specific content of "slandering and slander" is "to be distanced from the people around you. As well as receiving harassing phone ringing in the middle of the night, asking,' Did you get infected by Corona?'"

Midori Suzuki, executive chairman of the Zenroren, said at the prefectural office, "Nurses in the medical field are working hard every day while feeling nervous, anxious, and fearful, but wages have fallen due to the deterioration of medical care facilities due to Corona, and their mission. Feeling alone has reached its limit. Roads and countries should take immediate measures to help nurses work with peace of mind. "

Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASND974C7ND9IIPE01F.html