Causes and Risk Factors for Absenteeism among Medical Staff in German Specialized Lung Clinics during the COVID Pandemic

BACKGROUND: Staff shortages pose a major challenge to the health system. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to clarify the role of different causative factors we investigated on staff absenteeism during the COVID pandemic. METHODS: The prospective multicentre cohort study assessed the private and professional impact of the pandemic on health care workers (HCWs) using a specially developed questionnaire. HCWs from 7 specialist lung clinics throughout Germany were surveyed from December 1 to December 23, 2021. The current analysis addresses pandemic-related absenteeism. RESULTS: 1,134 HCW (55% female; 18.4% male, 26.3% not willing to provide information on age or gender) participated. 72.8% had received at least one vaccination dose at the time of the survey, and 9.4% reported a COVID infection. Of those with positive tests, 98% reported home quarantine for median (IQR) 14 (12-17) days; 10.3% of those who ultimately tested negative also reported quarantine periods of 14 (7-14) days. 32.2% of vaccinated respondents reported absenteeism due to vaccine reactions of 2 (1-3) days. Overall, 37% (n = 420) of HCW reported pandemic-related absenteeism, with 3,524 total days of absenteeism, of which 2,828 were due to illness/quarantine and 696 to vaccination effects. Independent risk factors for COVID-related absenteeism

• Piel, S.
• Presotto, M. A.
• Jörres, R. A.
• Karrasch, S.
• Gesierich, W.
• Bullwinkel, J.
• Rabe, K. F.
• Hayden, M. C.
• Kaestner, F.
• Harzheim, D.
• Joves, B.
• Kempa, A. T.
• Ghiani, A.
• Neurohr, C.
• Michels, J. D.
• Kreuter, M.
• Herth, F. J. F.
• Trudzinski, F. C.