Effect of 2019 coronavirus pandemic on ophthalmologists practicing in Saudi Arabia: A psychological health assessment

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the psychological impact and mental health outcomes including depression, anxiety, and insomnia during COVID-19 crisis among ophthalmologists. METHODS: This was a simple random study in which ophthalmologists practicing in Saudi Arabia were asked to fill in a self-administered online survey during the period from March 28, 2020, to April 04, 2020. Four validated psychiatric assessment tools were used to detect symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and stress perception. RESULTS: One hundred and seven participants successfully completed the survey with a response rate of 30.6%. Males constituted 56.1% ( n = 60). Ophthalmology residents constituted the majority ( n = 66, 61.7%). About half of the physicians exhibited symptoms of depression ( n = 56, 50.5%), anxiety ( n = 50, 46.7%), and insomnia ( n = 48, 44.9%). Symptoms of stress ranged between low (28%), moderate (68.2%), and high (3.7%). According to the cutoff values for severe symptoms, 29% were identified as having depression, 38.3% had anxiety, and 15% had insomnia.Depression was found to be more common among female ophthalmologists ( P = 0.06), those living with an elderly ( P = 0.003), and fellows ( P = 0.006). Female ophthalmologists suffering from anxiety were significantly more than male ophthalmologists ( P = 0.046). There was a trend toward suffering from anxiety in frontline health-care providers ( P = 0.139) and in ophthalmologists who are living with an elderly ( P = 0.149). Female participants exhibited significantly more moderate-to-high symptoms of stress ( P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists' psychological needs, females in particular, should be addressed appropriately during the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing psychological support units, especially for high-risk individuals, should be considered to minimize psychological adverse effects.

Mental Health Outcomes Amongst Health Care Workers During COVID 19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

“…The rate of anxiety reported by Alzaid et al was 21.1%, which is similar to our study (21.1% with moderate to severe anxiety); however, Almater et al ( 21 ) and Temsah et al ( 26 ) reported a higher rate of anxiety at 28.9 and 38.3%, respectively, in HCWs. The rate of insomnia reported in our study (14% moderate to severe insomnia) is close to that reported by Almater et al ( 21 ) of 15% among HCWs. AlHanawi et al ( 27 ) reported that 23.4% of HCWs were suffering from severe distress.…”

“…Our study was conducted between April and May 2020; out of 720 participants' physicians, nurses, and pharmacists constituted 87% of the respondents, with only one-third of the participants working as frontline HCWs. The depression in HCWs in our study (23% with moderate to severe depression) was lesser compared to AlAteeq et al ( 20 ) (30.3% with moderate to severe depression) and Almater et al ( 21 ) (29% with severe depression). The rate of anxiety reported by Alzaid et al was 21.1%, which is similar to our study (21.1% with moderate to severe anxiety); however, Almater et al ( 21 ) and Temsah et al ( 26 ) reported a higher rate of anxiety at 28.9 and 38.3%, respectively, in HCWs.…”

“…The depression in HCWs in our study (23% with moderate to severe depression) was lesser compared to AlAteeq et al ( 20 ) (30.3% with moderate to severe depression) and Almater et al ( 21 ) (29% with severe depression). The rate of anxiety reported by Alzaid et al was 21.1%, which is similar to our study (21.1% with moderate to severe anxiety); however, Almater et al ( 21 ) and Temsah et al ( 26 ) reported a higher rate of anxiety at 28.9 and 38.3%, respectively, in HCWs. The rate of insomnia reported in our study (14% moderate to severe insomnia) is close to that reported by Almater et al ( 21 ) of 15% among HCWs.…”

“…Al Mater et al conducted their study on the psychological health of ophthalmologists from different regions in KSA. They used the English version of PHQ-9, GAD-7, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) ( 21 ). Alzaid et al administered a survey in the Eastern Province of KSA in the English language to study anxiety in HCWs.…”

Mental health among healthcare providers during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Saudi Arabia

“…In addition, similar recent results of depression and anxiety prevalence were found among ophthalmologists in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 pandemic (50.5% and 46.7%, respectively). Also, similarly, anxiety was significantly higher among female ophthalmologists [ 15 ]. Moreover, the psychological impact of the pandemic on the Saudi general population have been assessed recently and showed lower prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms compared to our study (40.9% and 29.9%, respectively) [ 16 ].…”