How Did Emergency Physician Fathers Prepare and Cope at the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

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]