The Impact of Physicians' COVID-19 Pandemic Occupational Experiences on Mental Health. Issue 2 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schwartz, Rebecca M.; McCann-Pineo, Molly; Bellehsen, Mayer; Singh, Vansha; Malhotra, Prashant; Rasul, Rehana; Corley, Samantha S.; Jan, Sophia; Parashar, Nidhi; George, Sonia; Yacht, Andrew C.; Young, John Q.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 64:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: anxiety -- COVID-19 -- depression -- physicians -- posttraumatic stress disorder; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002380
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To examine the association between a number of negative COVID-19 occupational experiences and probable anxiety, depression, and PTSD among physicians. Methods: Cross-sectional examination of longitudinal registry data consisting of physician personal and occupational well-being. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to determine the association between negative COVID-19 experiences and outcomes. Results: Of the 620 eligible physicians, approximately half were female (49%), and 71% white with a mean age of 46.51 (SD = 13.28). A one-point increase in negative experience score was associated with a 23% increase in probable anxiety (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.14–1.34), a 23% increase in probable depression (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.13–1.33), and a 41% increase in probable PTSD (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.30–1.52). Conclusions: Negative pandemic experiences were strongly associated with adverse mental health outcomes while greater resilience was protective. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the textThe pandemic poses a significant threat to the mental health of the physician workforce potentially impacting the care that patients receive. Continued monitoring of pandemic impacts and implementation of appropriately tailored interventions are critical.