Longitudinal Patterns of Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health during Western Australia’s Unique Policy Response to COVID-19

Summary: Western Australia implemented a swift and extensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Broad public health protections included strict international and state border closures, rapid lockdowns, and a widespread vaccination strategy that resulted in 95% of the population receiving two doses of the vaccine before the first community outbreak of the virus. This presentation investigates the longitudinal patterns of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety among healthcare workers in Western Australia, and the risk and protective factors associated with changes in status during the onset of COVID-19 community spread. It outlines data from an explanatory mixed methods study that included a longitudinal assessment of healthcare staff (n = 183) working at tertiary hospitals and major clinics across Perth (before and following the first wave), a follow-up state-wide survey (n = 815), and qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions (n = 21). The quantitative data revealed moderate levels of mental health difficulties reported at baseline. At follow-up, overall rates of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety remained stable; however, latent growth models revealed that those with lower PTSS, depression, or anxiety symptoms at baseline reported a larger increase in symptoms over time, and those with higher symptoms at baseline had a smaller decline over time, indicating a ‘catch up’ effect. Key risk and protective factors will be presented, and implications for future pandemic preparedness will be outlined. Improvements in systemic workplace factors are needed to support healthcare workers’ mental health during periods of acute stress, even in settings with high levels of emergency preparedness.