Final answer:
The statement that healthcare worker stress increased significantly during the pandemic is true. The pandemic led to an array of stressful conditions, such as high patient loads and PPE shortages. Mental health concerns among healthcare workers rose as they faced the front lines of a global healthcare crisis.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that healthcare worker stress significantly increased during the pandemic. The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic put unprecedented pressure on healthcare professionals, contributing to high levels of stress, burnout, and mental health concerns. The pandemic not only introduced a surge in patient numbers and severity of cases but also necessitated quick adaptations to new protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, and fear of infection. A 2020 study by Thoits emphasized the correlation between stress and health outcomes, suggesting the vital importance of addressing stressors to maintain healthcare worker well-being.
Additionally, societal impacts, such as job losses, heightened substance use, domestic violence, and elevated levels of loneliness, further added to the stress experienced by healthcare workers who often serve on the front lines of addressing such issues. As Chen reports, the number of Americans seeking help for mental health issues rose during the pandemic, marking a significant increase in stress levels across the board, including among healthcare professionals.