Mental health among head and neck surgeons in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national study

• Published in: American journal of otolaryngology Vol. 41; no. 6; p. 102694
• Main Authors: Civantos, Alyssa M., Bertelli, Antonio, Gonçalves, Antonio, Getzen, Emily, Chang, Changgee, Long, Qi, Rajasekaran, Karthik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2020; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Age Factors; Aged; Anxiety; Anxiety - epidemiology; Anxiety disorders; Betacoronavirus; Brazil - epidemiology; Burnout; Burnout, Professional - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression - epidemiology; Evaluation; Female; Head and neck; Head and neck surgeon; Humans; Male; Males; Medical personnel; Medical screening; Mental depression; Mental health; Mental wellness; Middle Aged; Occupational Stress - epidemiology; Otolaryngologists - psychology; Otolaryngology; Pandemics; Physicians; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Polls & surveys; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychiatric distress; SARS-CoV-2; Sex Factors; Stress, Psychological - epidemiology; Surgeons; Surgeons - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Viruses; Brazil; United States > US; China; COVID-19; Mental wellness; Head and neck surgeon; Mental health; Psychiatric distress
• ISSN: 0196-0709; 1532-818X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102694

Head and neck surgeons are among the highest risk for COVID-19 exposure, which also brings great risk to their mental wellbeing. In this study, we aim to evaluate mental health symptoms among head and neck surgeons in Brazil surrounding the time it was declared the epicenter of the virus. A cross-sectional, survey-based study evaluating burnout, anxiety, distress, and depression among head and neck surgeons in Brazil, assessed through the single-item Mini-Z burnout assessment, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, 22-item Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire, respectively. 163 physicians completed the survey (74.2% males). Anxiety, distress, burnout, and depression symptoms were reported in 74 (45.5%), 43 (26.3%), 24 (14.7%), and 26 (16.0%) physicians, respectively. On multivariable analysis, female physicians were more likely to report a positive screening for burnout compared to males (OR 2.88, CI [1.07–7.74]). Physicians 45 years or older were less likely to experience anxiety symptoms than those younger than 45 years (OR 0.40, CI [0.20–0.81]). Physicians with no self-reported prior psychiatric conditions were less likely to have symptoms of distress compared to those with such history (OR 0.11, CI [0.33–0.38]). Head and neck surgeons in Brazil reported symptoms of burnout, anxiety, distress and depression during our study period within the COVID-19 pandemic. Institutions should monitor these symptoms throughout the pandemic. Further study is required to assess the long-term implications for physician wellness.