Severity of Sleep Disturbances among Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction:

Nurses frequently experience sleep disturbances, leading to significant negative impacts on their well-being. These disruptions not only compromise their health but also the caliber of nursing care they provide, ultimately affecting their overall performance and productivity in the healthcare setting.

Methods:

A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted within the PubMed and Embase databases to gather relevant studies. Following the removal of unsuitable and repeated articles, a total of 52 studies were selected for inclusion in this analysis.

Results:

The analysis uncovered several key factors contributing to the sleep disturbances experienced by nurses. These include the requirement to work night shifts, the physiological and psychological state of the nurses, and various demographic factors such as age, gender, dietary habits, and alcohol consumption. The period of the COVID-19 pandemic also emerged as a significant contributor to the degradation of sleep quality among nurses. The repercussions of inadequate sleep are far-reaching, affecting cognitive and behavioral functions, increasing the risk of injuries and infections, diminishing the quality of nursing care, and leading to an increase in errors and accidents in the workplace.

Conclusions: To address these sleep-related challenges, a variety of strategies can be adopted, ranging from instrumental and self-regulatory approaches to avoidant, task-oriented, and emotionally focused coping mechanisms. It is imperative for nurses to be equipped with effective coping strategies to enhance their sleep quality and mitigate the adverse effects associated with the demands of their profession. Among the interventions proven to improve sleep quality in nurses are exposure to bright light, strategic napping, modification of shift schedules, and behavioral adaptations aimed at promoting better sleep hygiene.