The Price of Internship Through COVID-19: 1st Year Physicians Report Substantial Mental Health Symptoms During the Pandemic

• DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4138233
• Publication Date: 2022-06-24T08:53:48Z
• Authors: Roy Sar-el; Yoel Angel; Gil Fire; Aviv Avni; Oren Tene
• Keywords: Depression; Patient Health Questionnaire; Pandemic

Objectives: recognizing mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline early-career physicians is vital importance, as healthcare systems worldwide battle to preserve and protect future generation doctors. The current study’s objective was examine prevalence symptoms among medical interns working for first time in a large tertiary hospital Israel during 1st COVID year.Methods: an on-line survey comprised demographic items questionnaires conducted at Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (TASMC), general Israel. Included were all who worked TASMC least 2 months year (March 2020-February 2021). Depression anxiety symptoms, post-traumatic stress Burnout measures evaluated using validated questionnaires. Depressive/anxiety defined primary end measures. We assessed association between depression demographic, burnout measures.Results: 145 out 188 completed study (77% overall response rate). mean age 30.36±2.97. Almost half (47%) reported depression/anxiety symptoms. high group characterized by lower (29.87±2.93 vs. 30.92±2.91, p=0.041), higher (15.62±13.32 3.63±5.59, p<0.0001) scores 2/3 subscales - emotional exhaustion (5.09±1.29 3.61±1.38, p=0.000001) depersonalization (3.83±1.71 2.94±1.46, p=0.002). 11.4% full sample they used cannabis or alcohol 'self-medication'.Conclusions: serving their pandemic, developed serious alarming numbers. findings point crucial need implement active interventions these doctors, so that can safely embark careers, specifically times global crises.