Mental health of doctors: A preliminary online survey during the current pandemic

ABSTRACT

Background: Corona virus disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19), has posed significant mental health challenges. Psychological morbidities among Indian doctors has not been extensively examined. In order to plan appropriate interventions, it is imperative to know the details of the mental health condition of our doctors especially so during this period of enormous physical and mental challenges brought by the current pandemic. Methodology: The present findings, are from an online survey done to briefly assess the mental health status of doctors. The survey was done, through a questionnaire, generated by the authors, from items of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) version 6. Results: A total of 274 responses were received and 242were analysed. Mean age of the participants was 37.21 Years (SD = 10.70). 61.98% of the participants were males. 42.14% were resident doctors, 44.21% were faculty members. Majority of the doctors reported having some psychiatric symptom. Only, 0.83% reported having suicidal ideation. None of the participants were planning to seek a psychiatric consultation, in near future, for the psychiatric problems. There was a positive correlation of psychiatric symptoms, with exposure to COVID-19 duties. Conclusions: Doctors have higher psychological morbidities, but due to various reasons are not willing to address the severity of their symptoms nor are they acknowledging the need for intervention. There is an urgent need, for acceptance and acknowledgement of the psychological problems being faced by this highly demanding, vulnerable population, especially so during the present crisis