Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and associated consequences have had a major impact on everyone's mental health, especially on that of the healthcare workers. Compared to the period prior to the pandemic, they experienced more intense symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia, and somatic symptoms, and they were at higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder and burnout. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to establish the state and factors of mental health of Slovene nurses and physicians during the fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive method has been used in the theoretical part, which included the analysis of literature in Slovene and English. The second part of the master's thesis was empirical, and it included a survey. The participants reported about their demographic characteristics and the characteristics of their work place, their emotional, psychological and social well-being using the MHC-SF questionnaire; their experienced depression, anxiety, and stress using the DASS-21 questionnaire; using the PFI questionnaire they also reported on their professional fulfilment and burnout. Results: The analyses showed a significant role of gender, profession, education and work area in different aspects of healthcare workers' mental health. Higher level of anxiety was found in women compared to men and in nurses compared to physicians. All aspects of mental health under investigation were the least favourable in healthcare workers who had a Bologna second cycle degree or a university degree, while the most favourable mental health appeared to be associated with a scientific masters or PhD. Overall, working with COVID-19 patients had a negative impact on health workers' mental health, especially when they worked with the patients in the intensive care unit. Discussion and conclusion: This study was conducted during the fifth wave of the COVID -19 pandemic in Slovenia, which was the worst wave up to that time, and hospitals had the highest number of COVID -19 patients. The crucial risk factor for reduced subjective well-being and elevated mental health problems was working with COVID-19 patients, especially in the intensive care unit. Identifying the risk and protective factors for healthcare workers' mental health in demanding circumstances can help work organisations establishing efficient preventive and intervention programmes.
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