Mental health and self-efficacy among doctors during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

In containing a pandemic, the contributions of health workers are invaluable. When the doctors lead the fight against COVID-19 from the front others should back the efforts of medical field. Aim of this research is to find factors in mental health and self-efficacy among doctors during COVID-19 pandemic. The sample of the research consisted of 113 doctors deployed in Ernakulam district of Kerala state in Indian Union. This research work is an exploratory study which explored the scope of social constructivism. To collect data semi-structured interview was used over telephone. Data collection procedure started when the researcher collected phone numbers of doctors from district office of state health mission. The total number of doctors interviewed over phone are 113. Researcher spent 15-20 minutes each with all for collecting data using a semi-structured interview. After employing content analysis following factors were identified as influencing mental health of doctors. They are work-life balancing, family relations, knowledge sharing, transportation, work location, public awareness, documentation, working history with COVID-19 positive cases/colleagues, news about COVID-19. The study concluded that there is threat to mental health of doctors but eh personal factors, social factors, and cultural factors plays a vital role in maintaining the mental health and self-efficacy of doctors during COVID-19 pandemic. Implications of the study this will help the authorities to effectively manage factors that affect mental health and self-efficacy of doctors. The medical community itself can take care of such factors that affect mental health and self-efficacy of doctors during COVID-19.