Physicians’ Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Associated Factors During COVID-19 Pandemic in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Healthcare workers worldwide have been exposed to extraordinary stress during COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) level and its health and occupational associated factors among Jordanian physicians during COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional design using an online survey was adopted targeting physicians at different Jordanian hospitals. The study survey included demographics, HRQoL measured by 12-item Short Form health survey (SF-12) mental and physical components, physicians’ evaluation of work conditions during COVID-19, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Descriptive analyses were conducted to summarize primary data. Factors associated with HRQoL were determined using a multiple variable regression analysis. In total, 326 physicians successfully completed the survey, 44.2% were males with mean age of 32.08 (±6.93). SF-12 mental component mean was 52.13 (±20.84) and physical component mean was 69.24 (±18.1). Physicians HRQoL level was significantly associated with levels of stress (β = −0.23, 95% CI −1.05 to −0.27), depression (β = −0.22, 95% CI −1.09 to −0.28), neck disability (β = −0.30, 95% CI −1.08 to −0.57), health self-evaluation (β = 0.14, 95% CI 1.66–7.87), sleep self-evaluation (β = 0.09, 95% CI 0.16–3.58), and physical activity level (β = 0.09, 95% CI 0.00–0.001). Jordanian physicians’ level of HRQoL was relatively low during COVID-19. Healthcare facilities administrators should take into consideration factors associated with physicians’ HRQoL level when planning for future healthcare emergencies.

Quality of life and its health and occupational determinants among hospital-based nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…However, our previous studies and similar studies in the countries have revealed similar high levels of stressors influenced mental and physical health of various occupational groups in Jordan [10,[31][32][33]. These physical and mental stressors appeared to have influence when investigating medical professions' occupation groups in Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic [9,34].…”

“…The results of this study might be informative to reduce work-related stress challenging hospitalbased nurses during similar pandemics and regular circumstances [9,12,13,19]. Musculoskeletal pain challenging nurses might be managed using proper manual handling and ergonomic training and by consulting rehabilitation professionals [49,50].…”

“…The current health emergency related to COVID-19 imposes extreme physical and mental stress on many occupational groups [31,32]. Current Covid-19 reports similarly demonstrated increased mental health stress impacting nurses, physicians, and many other hospital-based personnel [9,35]. Previously published systematic reviews suggested that physical and psychological factors along with individual factors were statistically linked with increased level of stress among nurses [36].…”

“…The mental disorder that is most related to pandemics is the posttraumatic stress disorder and was previously addressed in the literature [1,2,9]. Furthermore, depression, insomnia, stress, low mood, and irritability might be noticed during health pandemics [10].…”

Adverse clinical impact and outcome of inflammation and oxidative stress: Are the antioxidant properties of vitamin C helpful?

“…20 Moreover, it will enhance HRQoL of patients, provide effective therapeutic assistance to physicians, and alleviate the mayhem associated with notorious processes far before the emergence of the pandemic. 82 Vitamin C infusion at a high dose is expected to be one of the challenging therapies to combat inflammation and oxidative stress in a critically ill individual. Antioxidant balance is of functional relevance during critical illness because it is involved in the pathogenesis of multi-organ failures.…”