ABSTRACT
Objective. To study professional burnout and distress symptoms in anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists during COVID-19 pandemic period. Material and methods. The study involved 43 anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists of the Arkhangelsk region (mean age 28.0±1.2 years) and was conducted in October 2020 (during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic). We used the fol-lowing research methods: questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) adapted by N.E. Vodopyanova, depression scale, perceived stress scale, WHO well-being index. Results. Every second specialist noted significant severity and tension in work, and1/3 of doctors almost daily experienced anxiety during their professional duties. High level of burnout was diagnosed in more than half of the subjects including high level of depersonalization in 60.5% and reduction of professional achievements in1/3 of respondents. Signs of stress and depression were diagnosed in more than 50% of specialists. Low index of well-being characterized by poor health, lack of a sense of vigor and interest in life was found in 41.9% of doctors. Male doctors were more likely to have a decreased mood and emotional state, dissatisfaction with various aspects of life, low efficiency in performing professional tasks, as well as higher level of professional burnout and low performance. Anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists treating patients with COVID-19 were more likely to report lower performance and efficiency in performing professional tasks, poor health and health complaints. These physicians cope worse with emerging stress, have a low assessment of their competence and productivity at work, higher depression. Conclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, about 50% of anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists have signs of distress and professional burnout accompanied by emotional exhaustion, signs of depression, poor health and negative own professional assessment. These data should be taken into account when organizing the prevention and correction of negative emotional states in physicians. © 2022, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
In November-December 2020, the Federation of Anesthesiologists and Reanimatologists has conducted a survey of intensive care units (ICU) in 100 hospitals re-profiled for the treatment of COVID-19. There were regional (n=44), city (n=31), district (n=13), inter-district (n=8) and federal (n=4) hospitals from 27 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Capacity of 59 hospitals was less than 300 beds, 23 hospitals — over 500 beds, 18 hospitals — 300—500 beds. The number of ICU beds exceeded 10% of repurposed beds in 35 hospitals, 5—10% of ICU beds — in 51 hospitals, less than 5% — in 14 hospitals. There were 6—12 patients per one physician in 68 ICUs, less than 6 patients — in 12 ICUs, over 12 patients — in 20 ICUs. Also, there were 3-6 patients per a nurse in 69 ICUs, less than 3 patients — in 2 ICUs, over 6 patients — in 29 ICUs. Over 70% of the repurposed beds were provided with a networked oxygen supply in 61 hospitals, 50—70% — in 25 hospitals, less than 50% — in 14 hospitals. Oxygen flow rate over 10 l/min was provided in 70 hospitals, 5—10 l/min — in 28 hospitals, less than 5 l/min — in 2 hospitals. Over 80% of ICU beds are equipped with ventilators in 78 hospitals, 50—80% — in 15 hospitals, less than 50% — in 7 hospitals. Less than 5% of ventilators have been out of order throughout the pandemic in 62 ICUs, 5—10% — in 20 departments, over 10% — in 18 ICUs. High-flow oxygen therapy was not available in 48 ICUs, ultrasound — in 10 ICUs. ECMO was available only in 17 ICUs. If we consider the pandemic as a model of health system response to non-standard global challenges, these data are essential for critical analysis despite small sample size. © 2021, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.