Abstract
This study examined the combined effects of night-shift work and the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep, lifestyle behaviours and psychological well-being among pulmonology healthcare professionals. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted between 9 and 31 March 2023 among 165 employees (physicians, nurses and auxiliary staff) at the Marius Nasta’ Institute of Pulmonology, Bucharest. Data were collected using a 50-item anonymous questionnaire assessing demographic factors, sleep characteristics, caffeine and tobacco use and perceived stress.
The majority of participants (67.9%) slept <5 hr after night shifts and 59.4% reported fragmented sleep. Behavioural symptoms included nervousness (35.1%), anxiety (30.3%) and irritability (23%), while cognitive impairment manifested as reduced concentration (35.1%) and memory difficulties (21.2%). Smoking and caffeine consumption increased during and after the pandemic. Additionally, 24.3% required psychological counselling and 66.7% expressed a continued need for such support post-pandemic.
The results confirm both the immediate and long-term consequences of these factors and highlight the need for coherent psychological and behavioural support programmes for healthcare teams working in hospital settings.