Publication:

Assessment of physical and mental health status of doctors working in COVID-19 pandemic

Background The objective of this study was to assess physical and mental health hazards among doctors working in COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods Online questionnaire sent to approximately 2500 doctors across India, 1214 responded back. Questionnaires comprised demographic variables, marital status, any associated comorbidities, educational level, geographic area according to red, green and orange zone; workplace characteristics (frontline or second-line), place of posting, change in appetite or sleep, whether sampled for COVID-19, and if positive kind of symptoms. Mental health was assessed using four scales like, 7 item insomnia severity index, 7 items generalized anxiety disorder, 9-item patient health questionnaire, and 22 items impact of event scale-revised, to evaluate severity of symptoms anxiety, depression, insomnia, and distress, respectively. Data analysed using IBM SPSS statistical software version 22. Four scale taken as interquartile and median. Kruskal-Wallis test and person chi square were used for comparison. Multinomial logistic regression model used.

Results 1214 respondents 25% had headache, 8% anosmia, 7% throat pain or cough, and skin allergy 5%, overall anxiety, depression, insomnia and distress found 38%, 36%, 27%, and 18% respectively.

Conclusions Study evaluated that doctors working in pandemic are under physical and mental stress.