JOB SATISFACTION AND FEAR OF COVID-19 AMONG EMERGENCY SERVICE PHYSICIANS IN PANDEMIC ERA

ABSTRACT

Introduction: An important part of the employees who are fighting against Covid-19 on the front line are emergency physicians (EP). Material and methods: In our study, we evaluated the fear of Covid-19 and job satisfaction of adult and pediatric emergency physicians in the western part of Turkey from their perspective at the beginning and in the fourth month of the pandemic. It was observed that the satisfaction of the physicians with the working conditions in the 4th month of the pandemic was higher than it was before the pandemic. Results: Physicians' scores regarding fear of Covid-19 at the beginning of the pandemic were higher than in the fourth month of the pandemic. Being female, having children, and age was determined as factors that increased the fear of Covid-19. Conclusions: Despite the high fear of Covid-19, the reason for the high satisfaction because of the arrangements made at the beginning of the pandemic stemmed from the heavy workload normal conditions that before the pandemic. The high rate of emergency service use by patients who do not need emergency service resources is the most important reason for these heavy working conditions. We think that studies should be conducted to increase the awareness of patients on this issue, necessary sanctions should be imposed, working conditions of the emergency services should be improved, and working in these services should be made attractive. Arrangements to be made considering the data about the satisfaction of the physicians will help them feel safe and reduce their fear of Covid-19 and other diseases.