ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented physical and mental burden on healthcare workers who are frequently at high risk of infection, particularly in low-income countries. Particularly, allergists who are frequently exposed to the airway and respiratory diseases. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as changes in daily and occupational activities among healthcare professionals due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia. Method(s): An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted between February and June 2021. The survey incorporated validated mental health tools such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Perceived Stress Scale-10. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with severe mental health outcomes. Result(s): Among 1345 healthcare workers the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress were 75.61%, 59.18%, and 53.09%, respectively. Anxiety (OR:1.44;95%CI:1.16-1.8), depression (OR:1.74;95%CI:1.27-2.37), and stress (OR:1.51;95%CI:1.18-1.94) were more frequent in women, and individuals who expressed fear of a negative outcome (death, sequelae) (OR:2.25;95%CI:1.60-3.25), (OR:1.49;95%CI:1.03-2.16) and (OR:2.36;95%CI:1.69-3.29) respectively. Allergists were morelikely to report symptoms of anxiety (76.47%), depression(43.14%), and stress (49.02%). Age was negatively associated with anxiety (OR:0.98;95%CI:0.98-0.99), stress (OR:0.98;95%CI:0.97-0.99), and depression (OR:0.97;95% CI:0.96-0.98). Reduction in consultations and surgeries (OR:1.01;95%CI:1.0-1.01) was positively associated with anxiety. Due to the pandemic, most specialists expected to incorporate drastic long-term (>1 year) changes in their clinical setting and daily activities. Conclusion(s): The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress is higher among Colombian healthcare workers compared to previous reports. Further research regarding these psychological outcomes is needed to achieve early mental health intervention strategies.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The current COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented burden on health care specialists who perform high-risk medical procedures and are frequently exposed to the respiratory tract, such as otolaryngologists and allergists. This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety, depression, and stress as well as changes in daily and occupational activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic in otolaryngologists and allergists in Colombia. Method: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted between October and November 2020. Mental health tools such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 were applied. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the associated factors with these mental health outcomes. Results: Among 133 specialists (61.65% otolaryngologists, 38.35% allergists), the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress was 63.91% (95% CI, 55.45-71.58), 33.83% (95% CI, 26.33-42.24), and 36.09% (95% CI, 28.41-44.54), respectively. Anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 0.34;95% CI, 0.14-0.81) and stress (OR, 0.38;95% CI, 0.16-0.9) were less frequent in otolaryngologists and more frequent in individuals who expressed fear of the possibility of a negative outcome (death/ sequelae) due to COVID-19 (OR, 2.65;95% CI, 1.01-7.12). Older age was associated with anxiety (OR, 0.94;95% CI, 0.90-0.98) and depression (OR, 0.96;95% CI, 0.93-0.99). The reduction in consultation and surgery during the pandemic was associated with anxiety (OR, 1.03;95% CI, 1.01- 1.05). Most of the specialists expect to incorporate long-term (>1 year) drastic changes in their clinical setting and daily activities due to the pandemic. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress was high among otolaryngologists and allergists in Colombia compared with previous international mental health reports. Further research on these psychological outcomes is needed to achieve early mental health strategies.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The current COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented burden on health care specialists who perform high-risk aerosol procedures, such as pediatric otolaryngologists. This study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety, depression, and stress as well as changes in daily and occupational activities due to the COVID- 19 pandemic in otolaryngologists in Latin America. Method: An observational, cross-sectional ongoing study was conducted. Mental health tools such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 were applied. Sociodemographic, daily activities, and clinical questionnaires were applied. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the associated factors with these mental health outcomes. Results: To date, 55 pediatric otolaryngologists have been included;72% to 73% of them are located in Argentina. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress were 70.91%, 40.00%, and 45.45%, respectively. Up to 49.02%, 35.29%, and 9.80% of the population reported moderate to severe symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, respectively. The factors associated with these psychological outcomes are yet to be established when we achieve the expected sample size. Most of the specialists expect to incorporate long-term (>1- year) drastic changes in their clinical setting and daily activities due to the pandemic. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress was high among otolaryngologists in Latin America compared with previous mental health reports. Education strategies for early detection of psychological disorders are urgently required for health care specialists to be aware of their own mental health issues. Psychological and/or psychiatric support without occupational stigmatization should be granted by the institutions.
ABSTRACT
Medical education has been confronted with the rapid changes that occurred as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The Pediatrics Department of the Faculty of Medicine of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana have faced the need of modifications and have encountered challenges of new technologies giving academic continuity to undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the area of pediatrics, as well as adjusting practices to ensure medical training. In this article we present the experiences and reflections of changes related to medical training and new technologies in Pediatrics learning.