Effect of 2019 coronavirus pandemic on ophthalmologists practicing in Saudi Arabia: A psychological health assessment

Sep 3, 2020Middle East African journal of ophthalmology

Impact of the 2019 Coronavirus Pandemic on the Mental Health of Eye Doctors in Saudi Arabia

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Abstract

Approximately 50.5% of ophthalmologists reported symptoms of depression during the COVID-19 crisis.

Symptoms of anxiety and insomnia were reported by 46.7% and 44.9% of participants, respectively.
Depression was notably more prevalent among female ophthalmologists compared to their male counterparts.
Living with an elderly person and being a fellow were associated with higher rates of depression.
A significant portion of participants experienced moderate (68.2%) to low (28%) stress levels.
Female ophthalmologists exhibited greater moderate-to-high symptoms of stress compared to males.

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PURPOSE: To assess the psychological impact and mental health outcomes including depression, anxiety, and insomnia during COVID-19 crisis among ophthalmologists.

METHODS: This was a simple random study in which ophthalmologists practicing in Saudi Arabia were asked to fill in a self-administered online survey during the period from March 28, 2020, to April 04, 2020. Four validated psychiatric assessment tools were used to detect symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and stress perception.

RESULTS: One hundred and seven participants successfully completed the survey with a response rate of 30.6%. Males constituted 56.1% (= 60). Ophthalmology residents constituted the majority (= 66, 61.7%). About half of the physicians exhibited symptoms of depression (= 56, 50.5%), anxiety (= 50, 46.7%), and insomnia (= 48, 44.9%). Symptoms of stress ranged between low (28%), moderate (68.2%), and high (3.7%). According to the cutoff values for severe symptoms, 29% were identified as having depression, 38.3% had anxiety, and 15% had insomnia.Depression was found to be more common among female ophthalmologists (= 0.06), those living with an elderly (= 0.003), and fellows (= 0.006). Female ophthalmologists suffering from anxiety were significantly more than male ophthalmologists (= 0.046). There was a trend toward suffering from anxiety in frontline health-care providers (= 0.139) and in ophthalmologists who are living with an elderly (= 0.149). Female participants exhibited significantly more moderate-to-high symptoms of stress (= 0.018). n n n n n P P P P P P P

CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists' psychological needs, females in particular, should be addressed appropriately during the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing psychological support units, especially for high-risk individuals, should be considered to minimize psychological adverse effects.

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Effect of 2019 coronavirus pandemic on ophthalmologists practicing in Saudi Arabia: A psychological health assessment

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