Study: ER front line health workers at high risk for anxiety, burnout and PTSD Heroes work here (Source: UAB) By WBRC Staff | March 3, 2021 at 5:35 PM CST - Updated March 3 at 5:35 PM BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - A new study shows the heroes working on the front lines in health care in hospital emergency departments are at increased risk for anxiety, burnout, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder while coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, published in Annals of Emergency Medicine in February was conducted in 20 emergency departments at hospitals in the United States. The emergency department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham participated in the study, part of the COVID-19 Evaluation of Risks in Emergency Departments Project, or COVERED study.