The Impact of Physicians’ COVID-19 Pandemic Occupational Experiences on Mental Health

McCann-Pineo, Molly; Bellehsen, Mayer; Singh, Vansha; Malhotra, Prashant; Rasul, Rehana; Corley, Samantha S; Jan, Sophie; Parashar, Nidhi; George, Sonia; Yacht, Andrew C.; Young, John Q.

doi:10.1097/jom.0000000000002380

Cited by 14 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…However, where the findings diverge somewhat from the quantitative data is in the fact that 50% of the physicians felt that friends and family do not understand the exhaustion caused by their work. Our results are consistent with previous studies that show that married HCWs and those with children reported decreased odds of stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 4 , 29 – 31 ). In our study, about 75% of the sample was in a relationship, however, the quality of that relationship in terms of support provision is unknown.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…However, less than a quarter of participants utilized this support. Our results are consistent with other studies that show that both organizational and coworkers' social support reduces the negative impact of occupational stressors and prevents common psychological strains (e.g., anxiety) during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 4 , 35 , 36 ). Moreover, research shows that such support is significant for physicians as it affects self and professional efficacy ( 27 , 28 , 37 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Of this total, 457 physicians provided responses to both the quantitative and qualitative questions. While quantitative results for the broader sample of 620 have been reported elsewhere ( 4 ), here we analyzed the data from only the 457 physicians who answered both of the open-ended qualitative questions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a cross-sectional study that assessed the relationship between COVID-19-specific negative experiences and adverse mental health outcomes among HCWs, the most common concerns endorsed by physicians were fear of contagion, death of patients despite all efforts, circumstances involving contact with a distressed family member, and the inability of friends and family to understand physicians' physical and emotional exhaustion ( 4 ). Further, higher negative occupational pandemic experiences were associated with significant increases in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD ( 4 ). More specifically, other studies found that higher levels of emotional exhaustion were reported among trainee and attending physicians redeployed to unfamiliar clinical areas during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic ( 5 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Psychological resilience, coping behaviors and social and occupational support, safeguard mental health and well-being among frontline HCWs ( 13 , 14 ). For example, one study found that challenges, such as perceived lack of occupational support, was associated with two-fold increased odds of probable anxiety ( 4 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physician challenges and supports during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study

et al. 2022

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IntroductionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians encountered significant COVID-19-related negative experiences and psychological distress in both their personal and professional lives. To understand the factors that negatively impact physician well-being, a number of studies have pointed to multiple work system factors such as excessive workload and workflow interruptions. In addition, studies have shown that positive interpersonal relationships that provide social support may also serve as a buffering role against psychological distress. The aim of our study explores the challenges and sources of support for physicians relative to mental health symptoms.MethodsIn this study, We used a cross-sectional study design with a convergent parallel mixed method approach combining both qualitative and quantitative data collected in parallel from a self-report questionnaire immediately following the first wave of COVID-19. The aim of our study explores the challenges and sources of support for physicians relative to mental health symptoms.ResultsOf the 457 physicians in the study, the most frequently potential negative occupational experiences were, “Being at risk of contracting COVID-19 from patients/co-workers” (90.5%) and “Contact with distressed family members who cannot be with a loved one” (69.5%). We identified five common themes for main sources of social support (e.g. emotional support from family/friends) and six themes for challenges (e.g., work-related demands exacerbated by the pandemic).DiscussionOur study highlights COVID-19 and other pandemic-related challenges that negatively impacted the mental health of physicians. Interventions that provide targeted organizational supports (e.g. sufficient PPE and child support), as well as specific sources of support (e.g. family and emotional), can attenuate those challenges and stressors experienced during a pandemic.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Physician challenges and supports during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study

et al. 2022

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Physician Posttraumatic Stress Disorder During COVID-19

Kamra,

Dhaliwal,

et al. 2024

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportanceThe COVID-19 pandemic placed many physicians in situations of increased stress and challenging resource allocation decisions. Insight into the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in physicians and its risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic will guide interventions to prevent its development.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine variations based on factors, such as sex, age, medical specialty, and career stage.Data SourcesA Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses–compliant systematic review was conducted, searching MEDLINE, Embase, and PsychInfo, from December 2019 to November 2022. Search terms included MeSH (medical subject heading) terms and keywords associated with physicians as the population and PTSD.Study SelectionPeer-reviewed published studies reporting on PTSD as a probable diagnosis via validated questionnaires or clinician diagnosis were included. The studies were reviewed by 6 reviewers.Data Extraction and SynthesisA random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool estimates of PTSD prevalence and calculate odds ratios (ORs) for relevant physician characteristics.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome of interest was the prevalence of PTSD in physicians, identified by standardized questionnaires.ResultsFifty-seven studies with a total of 28 965 participants and 25 countries were included (of those that reported sex: 5917 of 11 239 [52.6%] were male and 5322 of 11 239 [47.4%] were female; of those that reported career stage: 4148 of 11 186 [37.1%] were medical trainees and 7038 of 11 186 [62.9%] were attending physicians). The estimated pooled prevalence of PTSD was 18.3% (95% CI, 15.2%-22.8%; I2 = 97%). Fourteen studies (22.8%) reported sex, and it was found that female physicians were more likely to develop PTSD (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.56-2.39). Of the 10 studies (17.5%) reporting age, younger physicians reported less PTSD. Among the 13 studies (22.8%) reporting specialty, PTSD was most common among emergency department doctors. Among the 16 studies (28.1%) reporting career stage, trainees were more prone to developing PTSD than attendings (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.12-1.57).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this meta-analysis examining PTSD during COVID-19, 18.3% of physicians reported symptoms consistent with PTSD, with a higher risk in female physicians, older physiciansy, and trainees, and with variation by specialty. Targeted interventions to support physician well-being during traumatic events like pandemics are required.

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Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on pediatric subspecialists’ well-being and perception of workplace value

et al. 2023

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Objective To explore pediatric subspecialist distress and well-being during the pandemic, with a particular focus on relationships between compassion fatigue (CF), burnout (BO), and compassion satisfaction (CS), and physicians’ perception of “feeling valued” by their institution. Methods The Compassion Fatigue and Satisfaction Self-Test and a questionnaire of personal/professional characteristics were distributed electronically to pediatric subspecialists. Content analysis was performed for responses to the question “How has your institution made you feel valued?” Results During the 16-month study period, CF and BO scores significantly increased, and CS scores decreased over time. By Epoch 3, 52% of respondents did not feel valued by their employing institution. When controlling for the effect of time, CF and BO scores remained higher, and CS scores lower, in participants who did not feel valued by their institution. Themes from the content analysis of “value” included expressions of gratitude, perks vs. penalties, safety, and leadership. The same overture from leadership provoked disparate responses in recipients, seemingly over the sincerity behind the offering, which may reflect underlying workplace culture. Conclusions Increasingly, pediatric subspecialists are not feeling valued for their work. Institutional leadership must prioritize healthy workplace culture, and re-think emotional and mental health support within the health system. Impact A total of 52% of our study population did not “feel valued” by their employing institution by late 2021, which is cause for concern. This is the first longitudinal analysis of distress and well-being in a national cohort of pediatric subspecialists during the COVID-19 pandemic. The same overture or messaging from leadership sparked disparate responses in recipients, seemingly over the sincerity behind the offering, which relates to the underlying workplace culture of the department or institution. Institutional leadership must prioritize a healthy workplace culture, and re-think and re-invent emotional and mental health support within the health system.

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The Impact of Physicians’ COVID-19 Pandemic Occupational Experiences on Mental Health

Cited by 14 publications

References 49 publications

Physician challenges and supports during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study

Physician challenges and supports during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study

Physician Posttraumatic Stress Disorder During COVID-19

Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on pediatric subspecialists’ well-being and perception of workplace value

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