ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Some endocrinologists were involved in the management of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic. This study aims to analyze burnout levels among the Association of Medical Endocrinologists (AME) members before and during the pandemic. METHODS: We recruited two AME members samples at two different times: before COVID-19 (n = 811) and during the first wave of the ongoing pandemic (n = 579). Both the samples filled the Maslach Burnout Inventory. We performed MANOVAs to evaluate demographic and COVID-19 related differences in burnout levels and Pearson's Chi-square test to compare burnout severity before and during the pandemic. RESULTS: Women reported higher Emotional Exhaustion and reduced Professional Accomplishment than men. The oldest physicians had lower levels of Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization and higher Professional Accomplishment than younger workers. Independent contractors displayed lower levels of burnout compared to established contractors. Finally, the pandemic, per se, did not lead to changes in burnout levels. DISCUSSION: Women and young physicians are at higher risk of burnout. It is also possible that front- line professionals are at higher risk during a health care crisis. Moreover, it is likely that the length of exposure to the pandemic has not been sufficient to impact burnout levels. CONCLUSION: Short-term exposure to pandemic-related activities seemed to have a low impact on burnout severity, except for physicians directly involved in managing COVID-19 cases. It is strongly recommended the availability of psychological support in public hospitals.
Subject(s)
Burnout, Professional/epidemiology , COVID-19/therapy , Endocrinologists/psychology , Occupational Health , Psychological Distress , Workload/psychology , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Burnout, Professional/diagnosis , Burnout, Professional/psychology , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Physicians, Women/psychology , Prevalence , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Sex Factors , Time Factors , Women, Working/psychologyABSTRACT
In this study, we report the management, in Lombardy, Italy, of one patient with Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal adenoma and another one with pheochromocytoma, whose surgeries were deferred owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The discharge from the hospital of insulin-treated hyperglycemic patients is always challenging. This is even more so in patients requiring glucocorticoid treatment, such as those with COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective monocentric study of 23 inpatients was conducted with newly diagnosed or already known diabetes mellitus (DM) who were naïve to insulin treatment, and who were hospitalized with COVID-19 in non-critical settings and then discharged. Patients were followed up for one month after discharge for the management of insulin treatment by a multi-professional team through phone consultations. RESULTS: Insulin prescriptions at discharge were 24.6 ± 14 U/day injected in 2 ± 1.5 daily shots. A mean of three phone consultations was required. One month later, the mean insulin reduction was 1.5 ± 1.3 shots and 6 ± 5 U/day. All patients reached their glycemic target without hypoglycemic events, drop-outs, or readmissions. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a multi-professional approach through telemedicine for managing DM patients after discharge during COVID-19.