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Background: Doctors are at high risk of burnout, which has far-reaching consequences on an individual and organisational level. Several studies have shown an association between burnout and depression. Aim: This study aimed to determine the rate of burnout and depressive symptoms among doctors, as well as factors associated with both conditions. Setting: Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. Methods: Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey and defined as the total score of high emotional exhaustion (≥ 27 points) + high depersonalisation (≥ 13 points). Individual subscales were analysed separately. Depressive symptoms were screened using the Patient-Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and a score of ≥ 8 was deemed indicative of depression. Results: Of the respondents (n = 327 for burnout and n = 335 for depression), 46.2% screened positive for burnout, whilst 53.73% screened positive for depression. Factors associated with increased burnout risk were younger age; Caucasian race; internship and/or registrarship; the discipline of emergency medicine; and having a prior psychiatric diagnosis of depressive and/or anxiety disorder. Factors associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms were females; younger age; being an intern, medical officer or registrar; disciplines of anaesthetics and obstetrics and gynaecology; having a prior psychiatric diagnosis of depressive and/or anxiety disorder; and family history of psychiatric disorder. Conclusion: A high rate of burnout and depressive symptoms was determined. Although there is an overlap between the two conditions in terms of both symptomatology and risk factors, specific risk factors were determined for each in this population. Contribution: This study highlighted the rate of burnout and depressive symptoms experienced by doctors at the state level hospital necessitating individual and institutional interventions to address this.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the health sector nationwide and internationally. Across all disciplines, unique and novel modes of presentation with substantial morbidity and mortality are being encountered, and growing evidence suggests that psychiatric comorbidity is likely among COVID-19 patients. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to broaden the current discussion on the psychiatric sequalae of COVID-19, which has largely focused on anxiety, and examine the recently documented psychiatric sequelae of COVID-19 infection, the secondary effects of the pandemic on public mental health, and future psychiatric conditions that may arise due to COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted an in-depth review of the current global psychiatric literature and describe the wide range of psychopathological presentations reported among past COVID-19 patients worldwide and those that are expected to emerge. RESULTS: Current discussions in the psychiatric literature on COVID-19 report anxiety and anxiety disorders as a predominant set of clinical presentations during the pandemic. The impacts of direct COVID-19 infection, associated psychopathological sequelae, and drastic lifestyle changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, are associated with a broad range of psychopathologies and other neuropsychiatric presentations. Pre-existing societal conditions and burdens on the health system in South Africa prompt healthcare providers and public health planners to accordingly prepare for the expected rise in new psychiatric presentations. CONCLUSION: Greater awareness of the various psychiatric conditions attributed to COVID-19 infection may allow for earlier screening, more effective treatment, and greater positive health outcomes and better prepare health systems to address the growing pandemic in South Africa.