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Nearly half of doctors working under high pressure conditions during the first wave of coronavirus face continued distress, research shows.
A study based on responses from more than 5,400 doctors in the UK and Ireland found that 45% reported psychological distress as the pandemic reached its initial peak in 2020.
Researchers from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) and psychologists from the University of Bath interviewed emergency, anesthetic and critical care professionals during the time before, during and after the peak of the first wave of infections last year.
In total, 5,440 doctors – 16% of the 34,188 active in the field – responded to the “acceleration” survey. In the “peak” survey, 3,896 professionals then responded and 3,079 to the “deceleration” survey.
The survey results, released early as a pre-print study and not yet peer reviewed, place the prevalence of psychological distress at 44.7% of respondents on the rise to the peak of the first wave, 36.9% at peak and 31.5% decreased.
The prevalence of trauma was observed in 23.7% of respondents at the first peak of the pandemic, and 17.7% during its deceleration.
Probable post-traumatic stress disorder was also found in 12.6% of respondents at the top and 10.1% afterwards, according to the research. The study also found that “worry about familial infection due to clinical work” was most strongly associated with both distress and trauma.
The researchers concluded, “Our results reflect a pattern of elevated distress during the acceleration and peak phase of the current pandemic, some degree of natural recovery, and a significant minority continuing to experience continued residual distress.”
Dr Tom Roberts of RCEM, who led the research, said: ‘Our findings highlight the harsh realities for many doctors in the UK and Ireland facing the public health crisis and the consequences it has had. on their mental health.
“The scale of the challenge has at times been overwhelming and we can see from our results the real impact it has on the well-being of individuals.
Dr Jo Daniels, clinical psychologist and senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath, added: “We now know that doctors are working on the front lines while carrying the heavy burden of the fear of infecting them. Even, or critically, family members, while some continue to struggle with high levels of psychological distress.
“This distress was evident as the first peak approached, but our study shows that it persisted well beyond that point.
“It is now an urgent and urgent concern; physicians are at breaking point and cannot continue to work effectively in these very high pressure, high risk environments without psychological support to meet their mental health needs.
“What’s at stake affects not only the long-term mental health of this vital workforce, but also their ability to function and provide the services we depend on.”
Researchers argued that it is essential for policymakers and professional bodies to provide physicians with materials to “alleviate physical and psychological damage,” raise awareness of signs of psychological distress, and develop clear pathways to provide effective care.
This could include formalized peer and team support structures and access to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), they said.
RCEM Professor Edd Carlton said: “NHS workers have responded to Covid-19 with incredible courage, commitment and dedication. Beyond warm words, what we need most is the right support to deal with the impacts this has had on us all. “
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