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Workload and personal life as factors in the formation of psycho-emotional state among infectious disease physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic

Workload and personal life as factors in the formation of psycho-emotional state among infectious disease physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic

ISSN 2223-6775 Український журнал з проблем медицини праці Том.20, №4, 2024

https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2024.04.248

Workload and personal life as factors in the formation of psycho-emotional state among infectious disease physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic

Litovchenko O. L.1, Zavgorodniа L. V.1, Stuklakina D. S.1, Perova I. G.2, Chyhryn D. R.2

SI "1 Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine

2 Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Full article (PDF): UKR

Introduction:

The relevance of studying the psycho-emotional state of infectious disease physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic is driven by their significant emotional and psychological burden. The impact of prolonged stress and an increased risk of professional burnout can lead to a decline in the quality of medical care and exacerbate mental health issues. Assessing the impact of the pandemic on infectious disease doctors is crucial for developing strategies to support and prevent mental exhaustion in future crisis situations.

Aim of the Study:

To determine the factors that affected the mental health and performance of infectious disease physicians in Kharkiv during the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods:

The study involved 36 infectious disease doctors from Kharkiv. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to assess workload, psycho-emotional state, and family factors. The data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation analysis.

Results:

It was found that 75% of the doctors experienced increased workload, and 81,25% were dissatisfied with their salary. Obsessive thoughts about the pandemic correlated with the presence of relatives requiring care (r = 0,74). Feelings of emotional exhaustion were more common among doctors with family responsibilities. The impact of the pandemic on doctors’ psycho-emotional state was significant and varied depending on age, marital status, and work experience.

Conclusions:

The psycho-emotional state of infectious disease doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic was largely influenced by a combination of workload and personal circumstances. Younger doctors and those with relatives in need of care experienced greater pressure, which may increase the risk of professional burnout.

Keywords: COVID-19, infectious disease physicians, psycho-emotional state, stress, workload, sociodemographic factors

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