Assessment on risk and stress of resident doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: It has been noted that post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms could be common in physicians who have experienced a traumatic event. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and contributing risk factors among resident doctors working in a tertiary care hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey from May to July 2020. Sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to the coronavirus, application of personal hygiene rules, presence and use of personal protective equipment, anxiety and prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder were investigated.

Results: In total, 17.8% (n = 40) of 225 resident doctors who participated in the study had post-traumatic stress disorder. Working at a department serving to COVID-19 patients increased the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder by 2.9 times (OR = 2.936, p = 0.003) while contacting positive patients increased this risk by 2.6 times (OR = 2.607, p = 0.023) and lack of personal protective equipment by 3.6 times (OR = 3.656, p = 0.018). Anxiety scores were statistically significantly higher in women, married and those living with their parents or spouses and children (p = 0.049; p = 0.011; p = 0.004, respectively).

Conclusions: Working in a department serving to COVID-19 patients, contact with positive patients and lack of personal protective equipment were risk factors in the emergence of post-traumatic stress disorder in resident doctors. Anxiety was also found to be greater in women, married and those living with their families.