Abstract
Background:
The mental health of physicians is greatly affected by work-related stress. This is significantly increased during pandemics due to poor coping and maladjustment. Currently, information on the mental health status of general practitioners (GPs) and family medicine specialists (FMSs) in Europe is missing. Part of achieving a global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is providing adequate attention and care to the mental health of GPs and FMSs as the pillars of primary healthcare.
Research questions:
What are the levels of anxiety, depression and fear of COVID-19 among GPs and FMSs in Europe, two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what factors might influence them?
Method:
Thirteen countries participated in an online survey that included questions concerning the professional and personal experience of GPs and FMSs during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as different scales for assessing mental health: PHQ-9, GAD-7 and Fear of COVID-19 scale. Descriptive statistics, linear regression and thematic analysis with inductive coding were used to analyse the data.
Results:
1724 respondents participated. More than 3/4 were female, the average age was 47±12.01 years and >70%, worked in an urban area. On average, respondents reported mild depression (6 on the PHQ-9), mild anxiety (5 on the GAD-7), and a mean score of 12.85±5.29 on the FCV-19 scale. Having had to close their practice during the pandemic had the biggest effect on increasing depression, whereas falling within an at-risk category for COVID-19 had the biggest effect on increased anxiety and fear. The most used coping mechanism was reaching out to friends and family. However, one in ten did nothing to cope with their stress or sadness.
Conclusions:
COVID-19 created specific significant stressors that negatively impact the mental health of GPs and FMSs two years after the start of the pandemic. Adapted interventions to support coping with mental health problems are needed.
Points for discussion:
How can we use the results of this research to help in creating better mental health support systems for physicians during pandemic outbreaks?
The mental health of physicians is greatly affected by work-related stress. This is significantly increased during pandemics due to poor coping and maladjustment. Currently, information on the mental health status of general practitioners (GPs) and family medicine specialists (FMSs) in Europe is missing. Part of achieving a global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is providing adequate attention and care to the mental health of GPs and FMSs as the pillars of primary healthcare.
Research questions:
What are the levels of anxiety, depression and fear of COVID-19 among GPs and FMSs in Europe, two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what factors might influence them?
Method:
Thirteen countries participated in an online survey that included questions concerning the professional and personal experience of GPs and FMSs during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as different scales for assessing mental health: PHQ-9, GAD-7 and Fear of COVID-19 scale. Descriptive statistics, linear regression and thematic analysis with inductive coding were used to analyse the data.
Results:
1724 respondents participated. More than 3/4 were female, the average age was 47±12.01 years and >70%, worked in an urban area. On average, respondents reported mild depression (6 on the PHQ-9), mild anxiety (5 on the GAD-7), and a mean score of 12.85±5.29 on the FCV-19 scale. Having had to close their practice during the pandemic had the biggest effect on increasing depression, whereas falling within an at-risk category for COVID-19 had the biggest effect on increased anxiety and fear. The most used coping mechanism was reaching out to friends and family. However, one in ten did nothing to cope with their stress or sadness.
Conclusions:
COVID-19 created specific significant stressors that negatively impact the mental health of GPs and FMSs two years after the start of the pandemic. Adapted interventions to support coping with mental health problems are needed.
Points for discussion:
How can we use the results of this research to help in creating better mental health support systems for physicians during pandemic outbreaks?
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 27 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 96th European General Practice Research Network Meeting - Split, Croatia Duration: 11 May 2023 → 14 May 2023 Conference number: 96 https://www.ipcrg.org/conferences/96th-egprn-meeting-11-14-may-2023-split-croatia |
Meeting
| Meeting | 96th European General Practice Research Network Meeting |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | 96th EGPRN Meeting |
| Country/Territory | Croatia |
| City | Split |
| Period | 11/05/23 → 14/05/23 |
| Internet address |
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)
