Differences in Coping Strategies and Help-Seeking Behaviours among Australian Junior and Senior Doctors during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Amy Pascoe,Karen Willis,Douglas Johnson,Mark Putland,Natasha Smallwood,Eldho Paul

doi:10.3390/ijerph182413275

Abstract

Background: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital medical staff (HMS) have faced significant personal, workplace, and financial disruption. Many have experienced psychosocial burden, exceeding already concerning baseline levels. This study examines the types and predictors of coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours utilised by Australian junior and senior HMS during the first year of the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of Australian frontline healthcare workers was conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020. Data collected included demographics, personal and workplace disruptions, self-reported and validated mental health symptoms, coping strategies, and help-seeking. Results: The 9518 participants included 1966 hospital medical staff (62.1% senior, 37.9% junior). Both groups experienced a high burden of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and burnout. Coping strategies varied by seniority, with maintaining exercise the most common strategy for both groups. Adverse mental health was associated with increased alcohol consumption. Engagement with professional support, although more frequent among junior staff, was uncommon in both groups. Conclusions: Junior and senior staff utilised different coping and help-seeking behaviours. Despite recognition of symptoms, very few HMS engaged formal support. The varied predictors of coping and help-seeking identified may inform targeted interventions to support these cohorts in current and future crises.

Highlights

Introduction distributed under the terms andWorkplace stressors and mental health problems are recognised issues for hospital doctors [1,2,3,4,5]
The data from complete responses received from 1966 hospital doctors are reported here
Both junior and senior doctors predominantly resided in Victoria and practiced in metropolitan areas in a public setting (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Workplace stressors and mental health problems are recognised issues for hospital doctors [1,2,3,4,5]. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19). Pandemic and associated public health restrictions have compounded these issues, resulting in significant workplace, social and financial disruption, moral distress, and mental conditions of the Creative Commons. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital medical staff (HMS) have faced significant personal, workplace, and financial disruption. This study examines the types and predictors of coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours utilised by Australian junior and senior HMS during the first year of the pandemic. Personal and workplace disruptions, self-reported and validated mental health symptoms, coping strategies, and help-seeking.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion