Impact of pandemic on the mental health of doctors working in a district COVID-19 hospital

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic can significantly affect the mental health of doctors as they stand in the front line of this crisis. The psychiatric consequences, in part, can be due to the stress the doctors are subjected to due to their close involvement in the treatment of infected patients. Some of the other reasons are related to the fear of transmission to their families and concerns about the health of self and family, stigmatization, and rejection. Aims: To assess the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among doctors working in district COVID hospital, note the possible association of life events with the mental health of the doctors during the current situation and address the coping styles they have sought to endure the current crisis. Materials and Methods: An online survey is conducted to assess the psychological responses of doctors during the COVID-19 outbreak. It consisted of four subsections covering (1) sociodemographic data and information on individuals' working conditions, (2) Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, (3) presumptive stressful life events scale, (4) Brief-COPE. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Results: Of the 353 participants, 80 had symptoms of depression, 151 anxiety, and 74 stress. Significant levels of depression were found among doctors involved in the direct care of patients with COVID-19 compared to those not involved in direct care. Undesirable events were found to be greater in number than desirable events. Concerning coping strategies, we found the more frequent use of adaptive coping strategies compared with maladaptive coping strategies among respondents. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has a sizeable psychological impact on the mental health of doctors involved in direct and indirect care of patients with COVID-19.