Abstract:Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the emotional and financial impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on breast radiologists to understand potential consequences on physician wellness and gender disparities in radiology.Methods: A 41-question survey was distributed from June to September 2020 to members of the Society of Breast Imaging and the National Consortium of Breast Centers. Psychological distress and financial loss scores were calculated on the basis of survey responses and compared across… Show more
“…The full survey consisted of 41 multiple-choice questions and addressed the following primary endpoints: mental health, childcare, finances, work safety, COVID-19 exposure, and patient care ( Supplementary Material ). Results related to mental health, childcare, and finances were previously reported ( 16 ). Results related to survey questions specifically addressing patient care are presented here ( Figure 1 ).…”
Section: Methodssupporting
confidence: 55%
“…Emerging data demonstrate that the prolonged course and widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the interpersonal challenges it has caused, have negatively affected the overall wellbeing of the healthcare community ( 14 , 15 ), including that of breast radiologists ( 16 ). Breast imaging is heavily reliant on effective patient-physician communication, often in the context of assuaging anxieties related to invasive procedures and delivering bad news.…”
Objective
Assess the impact of COVID-19 on patient-breast radiologist interactions and evaluate the relationship between safety measure–constrained communication and physician wellbeing.
Methods
A 41-question survey on the perceived effect of COVID-19 on patient care was distributed from June 2020 to September 2020 to members of the Society of Breast Imaging and the National Consortium of Breast Centers. Non-radiologists and international members were excluded. Anxiety and psychological distress scores were calculated. A multivariable logistic model was used to identify demographic and mental health factors associated with responses.
Results
Five hundred twenty-five surveys met inclusion criteria (23% response rate). Diminished ability to fulfill patients’ emotional needs was reported by 46% (221/479), a response associated with younger age (OR, 0.8 per decade; P < 0.01), higher anxiety (OR, 2.3; P < 0.01), and higher psychological distress (OR, 2.2; P = 0.04). Personal protective equipment made patient communication more difficult for 88% (422/478), a response associated with younger age (OR, 0.8 per decade; P = 0.008), female gender (OR, 1.9; P < 0.01), and greater anxiety (OR, 2.6; P = 0.001). The inability to provide the same level of care as prior to COVID-19 was reported by 37% (177/481) and was associated with greater anxiety (OR, 3.4; P < 0.001) and psychological distress (OR, 1.7; P = 0.03).
Conclusion
The majority of breast radiologists reported that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on patient care. This perception was more likely among younger radiologists and those with higher levels of anxiety and psychological distress.
“…The full survey consisted of 41 multiple-choice questions and addressed the following primary endpoints: mental health, childcare, finances, work safety, COVID-19 exposure, and patient care ( Supplementary Material ). Results related to mental health, childcare, and finances were previously reported ( 16 ). Results related to survey questions specifically addressing patient care are presented here ( Figure 1 ).…”
Section: Methodssupporting
confidence: 55%
“…Emerging data demonstrate that the prolonged course and widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the interpersonal challenges it has caused, have negatively affected the overall wellbeing of the healthcare community ( 14 , 15 ), including that of breast radiologists ( 16 ). Breast imaging is heavily reliant on effective patient-physician communication, often in the context of assuaging anxieties related to invasive procedures and delivering bad news.…”
Objective
Assess the impact of COVID-19 on patient-breast radiologist interactions and evaluate the relationship between safety measure–constrained communication and physician wellbeing.
Methods
A 41-question survey on the perceived effect of COVID-19 on patient care was distributed from June 2020 to September 2020 to members of the Society of Breast Imaging and the National Consortium of Breast Centers. Non-radiologists and international members were excluded. Anxiety and psychological distress scores were calculated. A multivariable logistic model was used to identify demographic and mental health factors associated with responses.
Results
Five hundred twenty-five surveys met inclusion criteria (23% response rate). Diminished ability to fulfill patients’ emotional needs was reported by 46% (221/479), a response associated with younger age (OR, 0.8 per decade; P < 0.01), higher anxiety (OR, 2.3; P < 0.01), and higher psychological distress (OR, 2.2; P = 0.04). Personal protective equipment made patient communication more difficult for 88% (422/478), a response associated with younger age (OR, 0.8 per decade; P = 0.008), female gender (OR, 1.9; P < 0.01), and greater anxiety (OR, 2.6; P = 0.001). The inability to provide the same level of care as prior to COVID-19 was reported by 37% (177/481) and was associated with greater anxiety (OR, 3.4; P < 0.001) and psychological distress (OR, 1.7; P = 0.03).
Conclusion
The majority of breast radiologists reported that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on patient care. This perception was more likely among younger radiologists and those with higher levels of anxiety and psychological distress.
“…However, physicians probably connect a lower patient turnover with a fall in income that may initiate financial problems. Milch et al ( 33 ), for instance, reported increased financial difficulties and financial loss in a breast imaging community during the COVID-19 pandemic and described them per se as linked with higher levels of psychological distress. This corroborates our finding of a positive association between financial problems both before and during the pandemic and psychological distress/burnout.…”
Background: The current study assesses the prevalence of burnout and psychological distress among general practitioners and physicians of various specialities, who are not working in a hospital, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally in this context, contributing factors are registered.Materials and Methods: Burnout and psychological distress were assessed with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18). A newly developed self-reporting questionnaire was used to evaluate demographic data and pandemic-associated stress factors.Results: 252 general practitioners and 229 private practice physicians provided sufficient responses to the outcome variables for analysis. The prevalence of clinically relevant psychological distress was comparable between groups (12.4 vs. 9.2%). A larger proportion of general practitioners than specialists had intermediate (43.8 vs. 39.9%) or high burnout (26.9 vs. 22.0%) without reaching statistical significance for either category. When combining study participants with intermediate and high levels of burnout, the group difference attained significance (70.7 % vs. 61.9%).Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that practicing physicians are at high risk of burnout in the context of the pandemic. Being single (standardized beta = 0.134), financial problems (beta = 0.136), and facing violence in patient care (beta = 0.135) were identified as significant predictors for psychological distress. Burnout was predicted by being single (beta = 0.112), financial problems (beta= 0.136), facing violence in patient care (beta = 0.093), stigmatization because of treatment of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients (beta = 0.150), and longer working hours during the pandemic (beta = 0.098).
“…Another well‐described factor, which placed stress on and impacted the well‐being of HCWs, was managing school/childcare and working 2,5,48–53 . While some types of providers temporarily transitioned to telemedicine only and were able to clinically “work from home” while still assisting with family responsibilities, for many in PHO this was not an option given the in‐person needs of PHO patients.…”
Background
The impact of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on the emotional health of health care workers continues to be an area of active research. However, few studies have focused on those working in pediatrics and its subspecialties, as well as ancillary and non‐patient‐facing staff. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated predictors of burnout and emotional well‐being of providers and staff.
Methods
An anonymous electronic survey was developed evaluating demographics, pandemic experiences, possible predictor variables, and three main outcomes of burnout, psychological distress, and perceived stress. Pediatric hematology oncology (PHO) chiefs and program directors across the country were invited to participate and disseminate the survey to their programs.
Results
A total of 682/1950 (35% of invited) individuals responded to all predictor and outcome variables. Over half reported high levels of burnout and some reported moderate/high levels of distress. Prepandemic burnout and decreased trust in leadership were associated with all three outcomes. Additional predictors included having a child ≤18 years at home, hospital role, and worrying about patient care or relationship with their patients. The majority (n = 444/682, 65.5%) reported that their institution had made COVID‐19‐related mental health resources available. However, only 6.5% (n = 44/682) reported utilizing these resources.
Conclusions
While the majority of PHO providers and staff were resilient during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic, many reported high levels of burnout, yet few are utilizing institutional resources. This study has highlighted several actionable areas to help identify and address factors that are wearing down the emotional well‐being of providers and staff.
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