The effects of COVID-19 on pediatric anesthesiologists: A survey of the members of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the personal and professional lives of all health care workers. Anesthesiologists frequently perform virusaerosolizing procedures (eg, intubation and extubation) that place them at increased risk of infection. We sought to determine how the initial COVID-19 outbreak affected members of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (SPA) on both personal and professional levels. Specifically, we examined the potential effects of gender and age on personal stress, burnout, sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression, assessed job satisfaction, and explored financial impact. METHODS: After receiving approval from the SPA Committees for Research and Quality and Safety and the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board, we e-mailed a questionnaire to all 3245 SPA members. The survey included 22 questions related to well-being and 13 questions related to effects of COVID-19 on current and future practice, finances, retirement planning, academic time and productivity, and clinical and home responsibilities. To address low initial response rates and quantify nonresponse bias, we sent a shortened follow-up survey to a randomly selected subsample (n = 100) of SPA members who did not respond to the initial survey. Response differences between the 2 cohorts were determined. RESULTS: A total of 561 (17%) members responded to the initial questionnaire. Because of COVID-19, 21.7% of respondents said they would change their clinical responsibilities, and 10.6% would decrease their professional working time. Women were more likely than men to anticipate a future COVID-19-related job change (odds ratio [OR] = 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-2.63; P = .011), perhaps because of increased home responsibilities (OR = 2.63, 95% CI, 1.74-4.00; P < .001). Additionally, 14.2% of respondents planned to retire early, and 11.9% planned to retire later. Women and non-White respondents had higher likelihoods of burnout on univariate analysis (OR = 1.75, 95% CI, 1.06-2.94, P = .026 and OR = 1.82, 95% CI, 1.08-3.04, P = .017, respectively), and 25.1% of all respondents felt socially isolated. In addition, both changes in retirement planning and future occupational planning were strongly associated with total job satisfaction scores (both P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the personal and professional lives of pediatric anesthesiologists, albeit not equally, as women and non-Whites have been disproportionately impacted. The pandemic has significantly affected personal finances, home responsibilities, and retirement planning; reduced clinical and academic practice time and responsibilities; and increased feelings of social isolation, stress, burnout, and depression/ anxiety.

Mental health and well‐being of anaesthetists during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a scoping review

“…Of 1254 articles initially returned, we included 20 articles that studied 8680 anaesthetists (Fig. 1 ) [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. Studies sampled anaesthetists from 14 countries: Canada (n = 55) [ 26 ]; Egypt (n = 330) [ 32 , 41 ]; France (n = 46) [ 36 ]; India (n = 512) [ 24 ]; Italy (n = 195) [ 28 , 34 ]; Malaysia (n = 85) [ 23 ]; Pakistan (n = 8) [ 31 ]; Saudi Arabia (n = 241) [ 30 ]; Singapore (n = 115) [ 42 ]; Spain (n = 776) [ 39 ]; South Africa (n = 391) [ 33 ]; Turkey (n = 34) [ 40 ]; UK and Ireland (n = 1143) [ 27 , 37 , 38 ]; and the USA (n = 4759) [ 25 , 29 , 35 ].…”

Burnout from Gender Inequity in a Pandemic

“…In the workplace, the pandemic brought forth significant workflow changes including increased administrative tasks, greater clinical responsibilities, and at times, the reduction of work hours. 29 Surge planning, new clinical protocols, and staffing challenges are a few of the many new administrative challenges. 30 As compared with other medical colleagues who can provide a large percentage of their care through telemedicine, most anesthesiologists must be physically present to provide patient care.…”

“… 31 There was a greater need for intensive care physicians and intubation teams; many anesthesiologists were dispatched to unfamiliar clinical settings, worked longer hours, and cared for critically ill patients. 29 , 32 Conversely, some anesthesiologists experienced decreased work hours because of widespread cancellation of elective surgical cases or increased caregiving roles at home. 29 , 33 With the cancellation of elective surgeries, many anesthesiologists, specifically those in private practice, were furloughed or on unpaid leaves of absences, creating financial hardship.…”

“… 29 , 32 Conversely, some anesthesiologists experienced decreased work hours because of widespread cancellation of elective surgical cases or increased caregiving roles at home. 29 , 33 With the cancellation of elective surgeries, many anesthesiologists, specifically those in private practice, were furloughed or on unpaid leaves of absences, creating financial hardship. 34 In a survey from the California Society of Anesthesiologists, women anesthesiologists reported furlough status or being given involuntary vacation more often than men.…”

Grow and Advance through Intentional Networking: A pilot program to foster connections within the Women's Empowerment and Leadership Initiative in the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia

“…Establishing venues for professional networking is particularly critical for anesthesiologists, many of whom suffer from high levels of social isolation. 3,4 The siloed nature of anesthesia practice rarely allows for social opportunities common to other medical specialties, such as attendance at lectures or daily patient rounds. Even within the operating room environment, opportunities for social interaction with other anesthesia colleagues are often limited.…”