A cross-sectional survey of psychosocial effects of COVID-19 on doctors working in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has made great psychological impact on the medical fraternity. Concerns such as fear of infection and inadequate PPE can lead to psychological distress impairing functioning. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess psychosocial effects among doctors working with COVID-19 patients and to study the association of these concerns with psychological distress. Settings and Design: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 150 doctors in a tertiary care hospital treating COVID-19 patients for a period of 2 months. Materials and Methods: A pro forma containing sociodemographic details, concerns regarding COVID-19 and perceived needs that could reduce stress among the doctors, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 was sent using Google Forms to consenting doctors. Data were entered on SPSSv20. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test to compare concerns, univariate and multivariate logistic regression was done to predict stress using concerns. Results: Out of 150 doctors, 53 (35.33%) were male and 97 (52.67%) were female. The main concerns were fear of infecting colleagues and family members (55.33%), not getting adequate support from the management (47.33%), fear of infecting themselves (22%), and fear of death (22.66%). Working as a team (76.67%), provision of adequate PPE (63.33%), positive attitude of colleagues (62.67%), recognition of work by the management (58.67%), provision of adequate training (56.67%), and family support (53.33%) were the main perceived needs of the doctors which could reduce stress. Those with “high stress” significantly had greater helplessness, loneliness, and feeling avoided by people and fear of death due to COVID-19 (P: 0.05, 0.001, 0.002, and 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: The chief concerns among doctors working in COVID hospitals were regarding safety (infecting family members) and stigma and discrimination by the society. Factors which they perceived would reduce stress were working in a team, social support, and provision of safety measures by administration/management.

Pattern of Inpatient Consultation-liaison Psychiatry Utility in a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…[ 21 - 24 ] The reason is that the patient usually presents to the emergency room with acute medical/surgical illnesses, especially in a tertiary care hospital and is evaluated for psychiatric comorbidity, including organic disorders such as delirium and substance withdrawal/dependence. [ 14 , 25 ] There was a significant difference in rates of referral from between specialty, i.e. medical and surgical wards (33%) and super specialty such as cardiology and gastroenterology wards (16%).…”