Coping with depression and anxiety in Egyptian physicians during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency with a negative impact on mental health. Healthcare workers are one of the most vulnerable groups to psychological stress in pandemics especially COVID-19. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed depression, stress, and coping among a sample of Egyptian physicians using an electronic survey. It included demographic data; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21); and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS).

Results

We found that the majority of the sample were females (61.2%), in medical specialties (51.2%), and living with vulnerable family members (92.4 %). The majority (63%) suffered from severe or extremely severe depression, 77.6% had extremely severe anxiety, and 72% suffered from stress. BRCS showed that only 17.1% had high resilient coping. Female physicians had significantly higher depression, anxiety, and stress scores of DASS than male physicians ( p = 0.001, < 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively). The anxiety scale was significantly higher in those with chronic diseases ( p = 0.040) while the stress scale was lower significantly in those with higher academic degree ( p = 0.034). Age had a significantly negative correlation with DASS anxiety ( p = 0.031) and stress scores ( p = 0.037). The BRCS score had a significantly negative correlation with the depression, anxiety, and stress scales of DASS ( p = 0.018, 0.014, and 0.007 respectively).

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on the psychological well-being of the studied Egyptian physicians. Prophylactic measures should be implemented to avoid development of psychiatric symptoms in physicians.