Frontline Healthcare Workers’ Reluctance to Access Psychological Support and Wellness Resources During COVID-19

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: We sought to determine the factors associated with Emergency Department (ED) healthcare workers (HCW) reluctance to seek, utilize, or take advantage of psychological support services during the pandemic. <b>Methods</b>: A 53-item survey, delivered via REDCap, was completed by ED staff in seven hospitals between 15 July 2020 and 24 August 2020. <b>Results</b>: 351 participants (28.7% response rate) completed the survey with 20.1% of respondents endorsing clinically significant psychiatric symptoms and 31.7% of participants endorsing burnout. 75% of those who endorsed significant emotional symptoms did not seek formal psychological support. Most of those (33/44) who did not seek support, despite anxiety and/or depression, reported experiencing practical barriers (access, cost, time, confidentiality) while emotional barriers (not wanting to acknowledge needing help; stigma; embarrassment) were endorsed by 22.7% (10/44). <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings offer several opportunities for intervention, including changes to workflow and culture in the ED which may address emotional barriers to self-care and pragmatic system changes that may help address practical barriers.