Insomnia has emerged as a significant health issue among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recently published study conducted at the University of Salamanca Health Care Complex (CAUSA) between March 2023 and January 2024 assessed the prevalence and contributing factors of insomnia in HCWs. Their primary metrics were the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-2 (GAD-2). The goal was to identify the magnitude of sleep disturbances, their association with shift work, psychiatric comorbidities, and COVID-19 sequelae to inform occupational and mental health interventions.
Among the 1121 HCWs surveyed, the mean ISI score was 10.5, corresponding to subclinical insomnia; however, 22.7% met criteria for moderate clinical insomnia and 3% for severe insomnia. Sleep quality was notably worse in shift workers, particularly those on rotating 7-7-10 hour schedules. Importantly, individuals with lingering COVID-19 symptoms were 3.1 times more likely to experience insomnia (mean ISI 13.9 vs. 10.3). Mental health symptoms were also prevalent, with 28.4% screening positive for major depressive disorder and 33% for generalized anxiety. Over 23% of HCWs used sleep aids monthly, and more than a quarter of them did so without a prescription. Despite this burden, only 3.1% had a formal diagnosis of a sleep disorder, suggesting severe underdiagnosis of sleep issues in HCWs.
Overall, these findings emphasize the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of occupational stressors in disrupting sleep among HCWs. The authors of the study advocate for better screening of sleep disorders and encourage interventions involving occupational medicine, psychiatry, and policy change to address insomnia and its downstream consequences on clinical performance and staff well-being. Mediating sleep issues in HCWs is not just critical for individual health but also for the preservation of patient care quality.
Reference:
Roncero C et al. J Clin Med. 2025;14(5):1663. Abstract