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Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Singaporean GPs: a cross-sectional study
- Source :
- BJGP Open, Vol 5, Iss 4 (2021), BJGP Open
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Royal College of General Practitioners, 2021.
-
Abstract
- BackgroundCOVID-19 has stressed healthcare systems and workers worldwide. GPs, as first points of contact between suspected cases and the healthcare system, have assumed frontline roles in this crisis. While the prevalence of mental health problems and illnesses arising in healthcare workers (HCWs) from tertiary care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic is well-examined,1 the impact on GPs remains understudied.AimTo describe the prevalence and predictors of anxiety, burnout, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among GPs during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design & settingSurvey of GPs operating in Singapore primary care clinics.MethodGPs completed a survey that comprised of four validated psychometric instruments. Open-ended questions asked about responders’ challenges and their envisaged support. Data were analysed with multiple logistic regression with demographic data as covariates; concepts of grounded theory were used to analyse the qualitative responses.ResultsA total of 257 GPs participated. Fifty-five (21.4%) met the scales’ criteria for anxiety, 211 (82.1%) for burnout, 68 (26.6%) for depression, and 23 (8.9%) for PTSD. Multivariate regression analysis showed working in a public primary care setting was associated with anxiety and depression. Qualitative analyses uncovered possible stressors: changes to clinical and operational practices; increased workloads; and financial difficulties.ConclusionMental health issues were found to be present in Singaporean GPs during the pandemic. Prevalence of anxiety, burnout, and depression were found to be higher than those reported pre-COVID-19. The findings also provide determinants of the issues that serve as possible foci for targeted interventions.
- Subjects :
- medicine.medical_specialty
Medicine (General)
Cross-sectional study
education
cross-sectional studies
Burnout
Grounded theory
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
R5-920
burnout, psychological
general practitioners
Health care
Medicine
030212 general & internal medicine
Depression (differential diagnoses)
business.industry
Research
Stressor
anxiety
Mental health
primary health care
covid-19
Family medicine
depression
stress disorders, post-traumatic
Anxiety
medicine.symptom
Family Practice
business
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
mental health
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 23983795
- Volume :
- 5
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- BJGP Open
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....bf928194239c9412fb2240ed0ad5c03c