ABSTRACT
Background: Published evidence about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is conflicting. Most studies suggest an increase in the severity of OCD in people with pre-existing OCD, whereas some do not. Aim: Given the conflicting evidence globally and lack of data from the Arab world, we aimed to explore the impact of the pandemic on obsessive-compulsive symptoms in adults with pre-existing OCD. Methods: A telephonic questionnaire-based cross-sectional study among adults with pre-existing OCD and specifically with fear of contamination and washing compulsions being major symptom dimensions of OCD. The severity of OCD during the pandemic was compared with their pre-pandemic scores. The severity of OCD was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). Results: Those with the duration of diagnosis of OCD of<10 years showed a statistically significant increase in the mean YBOCS score of 5.54 from pre-pandemic to during pandemic, which was significant at p = 0.006. This significance was maintained across the Compulsive and Obsessive subsets of the scale. Conclusion: Adults with pre-existing OCD with fear of contamination reported a statistically significant increase in severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms only if the duration of their OCD diagnosis was relatively shorter (<10 years). In the context of the conflicting evidence regarding the worsening of OCD symptoms due to the unique infection control measures of this pandemic, this study highlights the importance of the impact of the duration of the disorder and the subtype of the disorder. Such classification might help public health resources to be directed better at those most at risk and also help us understand the very nature of this disorder better.
ABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed an unprecedented strain on healthcare systems worldwide. In response, psychiatrist trainees were redeployed from their training sites to help manage patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to examine the attitude of psychiatrist trainees toward redeployment to COVID-19 sites and their perceived preparedness for managing physical health conditions during redeployment. Methods: A cross-sectional researcher-developed online survey was administered among psychiatrist trainees in May 2020 at the Department of Psychiatry, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar. Results: Of the 45 psychiatrist trainees, 40 (88.9%) responded to the survey. Most trainees reported being comfortable dealing with chronic medical conditions, but less so with acute life-threatening medical conditions. Half reported feeling anxious about redeployment, and most felt the need for additional training. We found that trainees' perceived redeployment preparedness was significantly associated with their level of postgraduate training and the time since and duration of their last medical or surgical training. Conclusion: Adequate preparation and training of psychiatrist trainees is important before redeployment to COVID-19 sites to ensure that they can effectively and safely manage patients with COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed an unprecedented strain on healthcare systems worldwide. In response, psychiatrist trainees were redeployed from their training sites to help manage patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to examine the attitude of psychiatrist trainees toward redeployment to COVID-19 sites and their perceived preparedness for managing physical health conditions during redeployment. Methods: A cross-sectional researcher-developed online survey was administered among psychiatrist trainees in May 2020 at the Department of Psychiatry, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar. Results: Of the 45 psychiatrist trainees, 40 (88.9%) responded to the survey. Most trainees reported being comfortable dealing with chronic medical conditions, but less so with acute life-threatening medical conditions. Half reported feeling anxious about redeployment, and most felt the need for additional training. We found that trainees’ perceived redeployment preparedness was significantly associated with their level of postgraduate training and the time since and duration of their last medical or surgical training. Conclusion: Adequate preparation and training of psychiatrist trainees is important before redeployment to COVID-19 sites to ensure that they can effectively and safely manage patients with COVID-19.