Effects of Persistent Exposure to COVID-19 on Mental Health Outcomes Among Trainees: a Longitudinal Survey Study.
J Gen Intern Med
; 37(5): 1204-1210, 2022 04.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35091924
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The rapid spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created considerable strain on the physical and mental health of healthcare workers around the world. The effects have been acute for physician trainees-a unique group functioning simultaneously as learners and care providers with limited autonomy.OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the longitudinal effects of physician trainee exposure to patients being tested for COVID-19 on stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout using three surveys conducted during the early phase of the pandemic.DESIGN:
Longitudinal survey study.PARTICIPANTS:
All physician trainees (N = 1375) at an academic medical center. MAINMEASURE:
Assess the relationship between repeated exposure to patients being tested for COVID-19 and stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. KEYRESULTS:
Three hundred eighty-nine trainees completed the baseline survey (28.3%). Of these, 191 and 136 completed the ensuing surveys. Mean stress, anxiety, and burnout decreased by 21% (95% confidence interval (CI) - 28 to - 12%; P < 0.001), 25% (95% CI - 36 to - 11%; P < 0.001), and 13% (95% CI - 18 to - 7%; P < 0.001), respectively, per survey. However, for each survey time point, there was mean increase in stress, anxiety, and burnout per additional exposure stress [24% (95% CI + 12 to + 38%; P < 0.001)], anxiety [22% (95% CI + 2 to + 46%; P = 0.026)], and burnout [18% (95% CI + 10 to + 28%; P < 0.001)]. For depression, the association between exposure was strongest for the third survey, where mean depression scores increased by 33% per additional exposure (95% CI + 18 to + 50%; P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:
Training programs should adapt to address the detrimental effects of the "pileup" of distress associated with persistent exposure through adaptive programs that allow flexibility for time off and recovery.Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Burnout, Professional
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Gen Intern Med
Journal subject:
MEDICINA INTERNA
Year:
2022
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States