nach oben

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -)

Erschienen in:

25.02.2021 | COVID-19 | Original Article Zur Zeit gratis

The psychological impact of COVID-19 on ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists

verfasst von: Thomas J. Crotty, Mel Corbett, Stephen Gary, Matthew G. Davey, Joseph P. Hughes, Ivan J. Keogh, Nash P. Patil, Eva Doherty

Erschienen in: Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) | Ausgabe 1/2022

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Introduction

Ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists are a high-risk group for COVID-19. Although the implications of SARS-CoV-2 infection on physical health are well-documented, the psychological impact is frequently overlooked.

Aims

The aim of this study was to gauge the psychological impact of COVID-19 on ENT specialists in Ireland.

Methods

A national, cross-sectional, web-based survey was distributed to ENT specialists during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic (21^st May 2020–21^st June 2020). The questionnaire collected sociodemographic and COVID-19 related data. The GAD-7 was utilized to measure symptoms of clinically significant anxiety disorder.

Results

Thirty-eight ENT specialists (M/F:24/12, median age, 38.7 years (23–60 years)) completed the survey. About 34% (n = 13) of participants screened positive for an anxiety disorder, of which 2 (5%) had moderate symptoms. The majority of participants (n = 32, 84%) felt ENT specialists had increased exposure to SARS-CoV-2 compared with other medical specialties. Additionally, 32% (n = 12) felt incapable of protecting themselves from infection. An encouraging proportion of ENT specialists (n = 22, 58%) were aware of psychological support available from national and institutional organizations.

Conclusions

The long-term psychological sequelae of COVID-19 will be felt as the physical burden eases. As we adjust to new normalities, ENT surgeons must be conscientious of the mental health issues that arise from the working environment. Sources of anxiety emanated from a lack of control over infection risk, increased vulnerability to COVID-19 relative to other specialties and the implications this has for ENT specialists and their families. Future interventions must focus on increasing awareness of the available psychological support services for our healthcare workers.

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (2020) COVID-19 situation update worldwide. Available at: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases2019-ncov-cases. [Accessed 9 Aug 2020]

COVIDSurg Collaborative (2020) Global guidance for surgical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Br J Surg. https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.11646

Health Protection Surveillance Centre (2020) Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Ireland. Available at: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/casesinireland/epidemiologyofcovid-19inireland/COVID-19_Daily_epidemiology_report_(NPHET)%20_website.pdf. [Accessed 10 Aug 2020]

McAlonan GM, Lee AM, Cheung C et al (2007) Immediate and sustained psychological impact of an emerging infectious disease outbreak on health care workers. Can J Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370705200406CrossRefPubMed

Hayes B, Prihodova L, Walsh G et al (2019) Doctors don’t Do-little: a national cross-sectional study of workplace well-being of hospital doctors in Ireland. BMJ Open. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025433CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Zou L, Ruan F, Huang M et al (2020) SARS-CoV-2 viral load in upper respiratory specimens of infected patients. N Engl J Med. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc2001737CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

The Irish Head and Neck Society (2020) Considerations on H&N during COVID-19. Available at: https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/coronavirus/surgical-practice/clinical-guidance-for-surgeons. [Accessed 10 Aug 2020]

Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JB, Lowe B (2006) A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Arch Intern Med. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092CrossRefPubMed

Paiva CE, Martins BP, Paiva BS (2018) Doctor, are you healthy? A cross-sectional investigation of oncologist burnout, depression, and anxiety and an investigation of their associated factors. BMC Cancer. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-018-4964-7CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

10.

Yang X, Zhang Y, Li S, Chen X (2020) Risk factors for anxiety of otolaryngology healthcare workers in Hubei province fighting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01928-3

11.

Pappa S, Ntella V, Giannakas T et al (2020) Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Behav Immun. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.026

12.

Godbout JP, Glaser R (2006) Stress-induced immune dysregulation: implications for wound healing, infectious disease and cancer. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11481-006-9036-0CrossRefPubMed

13.

Ruiz MA, Zamorano E, Garcia-Campayo J et al (2011) Validity of the GAD-7 scale as an outcome measure of disability in patients with generalized anxiety disorders in primary care. J Affect Disord. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2010.07.010CrossRefPubMed

14.

Chen JYK, Wong EWY, Lam W (2020) Practical aspects of otolaryngologic clinical services during the 2019 novel coronavirus epidemic: an experience in Hong Kong. JAMA Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2020.04882020.0488

15.

Shanafelt T, Ripp J, Trockel M (2020) Understanding and addressing sources of anxiety among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.5893CrossRefPubMed

16.

Nguyen LH, Drew DA, Graham MS et al (2020) Risk of COVID-19 among front-line health-care workers and the general community: a prospective cohort study. Lancet Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(20)30164-XCrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

17.

West CP, Tan AD, Habermann TM et al (2009) Association of resident fatigue and distress with perceived medical errors. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.1389CrossRefPubMed

18.

Chang D, Xu H, Rebaza A et al (2020) Protecting health-care workers from subclinical coronavirus infection. Lancet Respir Med. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30066-7CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

19.

Ofner M, Lem M, Sarwal S et al (2003) Cluster of severe acute respiratory syndrome cases among protected health care workers-Toronto. Can Commun Dis Rep. PMID:12794968

20.

Wang W, Xu Y, Gao R et al (2020) Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in different types of clinical specimens. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.37862020.3786

21.

Meccariello G, Gallo O (2020) What ENT doctors should know about COVID-19 contagion risks. Head Neck. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.26190CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

22.

The National Clinical Programme in Surgery. Interim clinical guidance on flexible nasendoscopy (FNE) and nasal endoscopy in Ireland during COVID-19 pandemic. Available at https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/coronavirus/surgical-practice/clinical-guidance-for-surgeons. [Accessed 10 Aug 2020]

23.

Southwick SM, Vythilingam M, Charney DS (2005) The psychobiology of depression and resilience to stress: implications for prevention and treatment. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.143948CrossRefPubMed

Titel: The psychological impact of COVID-19 on ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists
verfasst von: Thomas J. Crotty
Mel Corbett
Stephen Gary
Matthew G. Davey
Joseph P. Hughes
Ivan J. Keogh
Nash P. Patil
Eva Doherty
Publikationsdatum: 25.02.2021
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Schlagwort: COVID-19
Erschienen in: Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) / Ausgabe 1/2022
Print ISSN: 0021-1265
Elektronische ISSN: 1863-4362
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02569-4

Leitlinien kompakt für die Innere Medizin

Mit medbee Pocketcards sicher entscheiden.

^{Seit 2022 gehört die medbee GmbH zum Springer Medizin Verlag}

Kostenlos registrieren

Update Innere Medizin

Bestellen Sie unseren Fach-Newsletter und bleiben Sie gut informiert.

Newsletter bestellen

Klimawandel und Gesundheit: Was Sie in der Hausarztpraxis wissen müssen und tun können

Springer Medizin

The psychological impact of COVID-19 on ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists