ABSTRACT
Study Objectives: Emergency physicians (EPs) are always on the frontlines and many EPs thrive on the unpredictable. Despite this, the COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to all EPs, including the challenge of how to prepare for and cope with a pandemic. This subset analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic specifically on the lives of EP fathers. Methods: From May 2 through June 16, 2020, a convenience sample of physician fathers was surveyed on their personal and professional preparedness for COVID-19. Surveys were distributed via the Physician Dads Group (PDG), an international Facebook group covering all medical specialties, LinkedIn, via personal contacts and professional organizations. Results: 260 surveys were completed by EP fathers (Table 1). Of the respondents, 77% were between 30-49 years, 84% were White, 9% Asian, 1% Black;31 U.S. states were represented. 98% reported they had a partner. At the time of the survey, 63% felt they were in a high-density area with 88% having cared for a COVID+ patient. About half had taken steps to prepare personally or professionally for the local impact of COVID-19 (46% and 67%, respectively). EP fathers’ top two concerns were exposing their partner or their child(ren) to COVID-19, followed by personally acquiring COVID-19. 44% of fathers didn’t have to change their schedule to care for children, while 37% did;other fathers did not have school-aged children or already had care in the home. In terms of preparation, about 67% made sure they had adequate food, 60% made sure they were financially prepared, while 46% and 41% obtained PPE for self or family, respectively. To prepare professionally, almost all (97%) educated themselves about COVID-19, 68% self-educated about pandemics, and 72% reviewed critical care literature. The three biggest professional concerns were morale of staff (48%), financial challenges (45%), and health of staff (43%). 37% of fathers felt that the balance between their professional and personal responsibilities worsened, while 17% felt the balance improved. When EP fathers were asked if they wished they did not go into medicine, 67% disagreed/strongly disagreed. When asked if they wished they had not gone into their specialty, 89% disagreed/strongly disagreed. Conclusions: EP fathers felt more prepared professionally than personally for the pandemic. The findings highlight that EP fathers were concerned about their family becoming sick but also concerned with the health and morale of staff at work. [Formula presented]
ABSTRACT
Study Objectives: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected frontline health care workers significantly at work and at home, with recent studies suggesting the pandemic negatively affecting physicians in both spheres. Only a few studies have examined the attitudes and conflicts faced by physician fathers, the majority of current practitioners. This work is a subset analysis of responses to qualitative questions on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of emergency physician (EP) fathers. Methods: A convenience sample of physician fathers was obtained from May 2 to June 16, 2020, via social media and email. The survey contained questions on personal and professional struggles during the start of the pandemic and including several free test questions. Free responses were analyzed and coded. Several themes emerged related to experiences described: (1) self;(2) social;(3) home life;(4) work life;(5) financial;(6) immediate family. Under each main theme were subthemes that provided a more detailed match for each comment. Results: There were 260 surveys completed by EP fathers from 31 states. 84% were White, 9% Asian, 1% Black, 5% other. 78% were between 30-49 years;98% reported having a partner. Most fathers had younger children (infants through middle-school aged) living in the household with them at the time of the survey. The three most common themes were “work life” (38%), “immediate family” (20%), and “social” (15%). In “work life” the most common subthemes were “general change in responsibilities” (29%), “decrease in workload/unemployed” (21%), and “concerns/negative feelings towards work” (18%). In “immediate family” both “positive change in family life” (45%) and “negative change in family life” (19%) predominated. Under “social,” “missing/lacking social interaction” (49%) and “missed/cancelled events” (33%) were most common. Of note in other themes in “self,” the two most common subthemes were “negative mental state” (45%) and “decreased productivity” (12%). In “home life,” “change in usual routine/structure/schedule” was the most common (42%) followed by “difficulty caring/assisting children” (28%). The “financial” theme was dominated by the subtheme “financial issues/loss” (94%). Conclusions: This study examined reported concerns and attitudes of EP fathers during the COVID-19 pandemic. EP fathers reported a variety challenges affecting both their personal and professional lives with positive and negative changes. Further research is needed to better understand how to support EP fathers during future pandemics.