Abstract
2020 was a challenging year for all healthcare professionals worldwide. In São Paulo, Brazil, the virus SARS-CoV-2 took 47,222 lives up to December 29, 2020. The front line of medical professionals in São Paulo was composed of many residents, who were transferred from their rotations to cover the needs of the pandemic. To identify medical residents' mental health and clinical issues, regarding symptoms of burnout, depression and anxiety during the pandemic, and to compare them among specialties. Quantitative study using a convenience sample of medical resident volunteers who responded to an anonymous online survey that was available during April 2020. This investigation collected sociodemographic information and used the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) to measure burnout, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to measure depression and the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale to measure anxiety symptoms. This study also developed a COVID-19 Impact Questionnaire (CIQ-19) to assess the residents' beliefs and clinical practices relating to COVID-19 patients. The sample comprised 1,392 medical residents in São Paulo, Brazil. Clinical specialty physicians showed the highest rates of anxiety symptoms (52.6%) and burnout (51.2%), among the specialties. Clinical specialty residents are at higher risk of anxiety, depression and burnout. The symptoms of anxiety and depression have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a general need for mental health support interventions for medical resident physicians, which requires reinforcement during this worldwide crisis.
Highlights
In December 2019, a new disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, popularly called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was identified in Wuhan, China
This study developed a COVID-19 Impact Questionnaire (CIQ-19) to assess the residents’ beliefs and clinical practices relating to COVID-19 patients, their behaviors concerning disease prevention and their substance use after the beginning of the pandemic
Our findings were significant with regard to mental health scales, COVID-19 aspects of clinical practice and mental healthcare among medical residents training in São Paulo
Summary
In December 2019, a new disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, popularly called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was identified in Wuhan, China This disease has high infectivity and transmissibility rates, with a reproductive number greater than one.[1] Since as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO), as of December 29, 2020, there were more than 79,231,893 cases and 1,754,574 deaths worldwide. São Paulo is the most populous city in Brazil and the fourth largest city in the world by population This city is an important focal point for the field of healthcare and has the highest concentration of physicians in the country, around 146,970 professionals. OBJECTIVE: To identify medical residents’ mental health and clinical issues, regarding symptoms of burnout, depression and anxiety during the pandemic, and to compare them among specialties. There is a general need for mental health support interventions for medical resident physicians, which requires reinforcement during this worldwide crisis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
