Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41324618›Full record

ArticleBundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz2026

[Work-related psychological stress in the public health service during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and measures for reduction].

Kerstin Schmidt, Valentin Assheuer, Margarethe Kubitza, Isabell Schultheis, Susann Schmidt, Uwe Stengele, Dirk Cremer, Anke Ahäuser, Birte Pantenburg, Stella Duwendag and 2 more

Abstract readEnglish Abstract
In one paragraph

Article in Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Kerstin SchmidtAG 2 Bevölkerungsmedizin und Versorgungsforschung, Universität Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Deutschland. kerstin.schmidt1@uni-bielefeld.de.
Valentin AssheuerAG 2 Bevölkerungsmedizin und Versorgungsforschung, Universität Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Deutschland.
Margarethe KubitzaStadt Dortmund, Gesundheitsamt, Dortmund, Deutschland.
Isabell SchultheisKreis Herford, Gesundheitsamt, Herford, Deutschland.
Susann SchmidtGesundheitsreferat (GSR), Landeshauptstadt München, München, Deutschland.
Uwe StengeleLandratsamt Pforzheim Enzkreis, Gesundheitsamt, Pforzheim, Deutschland.
Dirk CremerGesundheits‑, Veterinär- und Lebensmittelüberwachungsamt, Stadt Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Deutschland.
Anke AhäuserKreis Herford, Gesundheitsamt, Herford, Deutschland.
Birte PantenburgInstitut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland.
Stella DuwendagAG 2 Bevölkerungsmedizin und Versorgungsforschung, Universität Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Deutschland.
Kayvan BozorgmehrAG 2 Bevölkerungsmedizin und Versorgungsforschung, Universität Bielefeld, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Deutschland.
Brigitte JoggerstGesundheitsamt, Landratsamt Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Deutschland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe new normal following the COVID-19 pandemic is characterized by uncertainty for employees in the public health service (ÖGD), shaped by challenges such as geopolitical threats, climate change, potential future pandemics, and structural changes driven by digitalization. The present qualitative study examines work-related psychological stress factors among public health office employees during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the effectiveness of measures implemented to counter these stressors.

methodsIn a participatory process between Bielefeld University and seven public health offices, 15 qualitative interviews conducted in autumn and winter 2023/2024 were analyzed using Mayring's qualitative content analysis. The public health employees were asked about stress factors in their daily work during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and were then invited to identify employer-initiated measures aimed at reducing these burdens and to assess their effectiveness.

resultsThe main stressors identified were excessive workload and tasks outside the employees' professional expertise that had emerged in the context of the pandemic. The measures implemented by employers were generally not well aligned with these burdens and therefore did not reduce them sustainably. Many respondents felt insufficiently prepared to act appropriately in future crises. However, expressions of authentic appreciation were consistently rated positively and perceived as relieving. DISCUSSION: Given the likelihood of future crises and ongoing transformations, the results highlight an urgent need for improved preparedness. Such efforts should place particular emphasis on addressing the needs and perspectives of employees within the ÖGD.

Indexed as

COVID-19Occupational StressPandemicsStress, PsychologicalAdultFemaleGermanyHumansMaleMiddle AgedPublic HealthQualitative ResearchWorkloadCrisesParticipatory studyPublic health serviceQualitative interviewsWorkplace-related stress

Identifiers

PMID41324618
PMCPMC12764689

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.