Psychological responses of the Philippine Physician Licensure Exam takers to the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective@#This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and the level of perceived stress of the Physician Licensure Exam (PLE) takers during the COVID-19 pandemic.@*Method@#We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive survey among the Physician Licensure Exam takers using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).@*Results@#Seven hundred thirty-two (732) Physician Licensure Exam takers participated in the survey, 423 (57.8%) were November takers and 309 (42.2%) were March takers who will be completing the exam on September 2020. The prevalence rates of major depression and generalized anxiety disorder among the PLE takers were 44.1% and 50.3%, respectively. November takers have a higher rate of depression (60.1%) and anxiety (52.7%) compared to the March takers (54.4% and 46.6%, respectively). The majority of the takers have moderate levels of depression (26.6%), anxiety (37.8%), and perceived stress (70.2%). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of major depression between the March and November takers (p-value <0.00001) but not with generalized anxiety disorder (p-value: 0.05155). There was also no significant difference in the severity of depression (p value=0.527878), anxiety (p-value=0.883558), and levels of perceived stress (p- value=0.2476) between the March and November takers.@*Conclusions@#There was a high prevalence of major depression and generalized anxiety disorder among the PLE takers during the COVID19 pandemic. Majority of the PLE takers experienced moderate levels of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress.

Mental health and coping strategies of Filipino healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives@#This study aimed to determine the mental health of Filipino healthcare workers (HCWs) in terms of their feelings and ability to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors that motivated them to continue their work. @*Methods and Results@#This was a cross-sectional, descriptive survey, single-center study, conducted in Perpetual Succour Hospital, Cebu City, Philippines, within 3 months from the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 215 respondents, almost 50% thought of quitting their job due to fear of getting infected with COVID-19 and transmitting the disease to their families. Ninety-four percent (94%) of HCWs were nervous and scared and 85% were experiencing physical fatigue and emotional exhaustion. Despite all these, 97% of HCWs felt that their service during the pandemic was part of their professional obligation and ethical duty. HCWs coped with the present pandemic by strictly following safety protocols and the assurance of the safety of their families helped reduce their stress. Family support is their most important source of motivation.@*Conclusion@#Filipino HCWs experience physical and emotional stress during the COVID-19 pandemic but were motivated to work because of their professional obligation with an assurance of safety and support from their family.