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. 2020 Nov 27;20(1):1811.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-09886-w.

Psychological distress among infectious disease physicians during the response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the Republic of Korea

Se Yoon Park  1 , Bongyoung Kim  2 , Dong Sik Jung  3 , Sook In Jung  4 , Won Sup Oh  5 , Shin-Woo Kim  6 , Kyong Ran Peck  7 , Hyun-Ha Chang  8 ; Korean Society of Infectious Diseases
Affiliations
Free PMC article

Psychological distress among infectious disease physicians during the response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the Republic of Korea

Se Yoon Park et al. BMC Public Health. .
Free PMC article

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate psychological distress among infectious disease (ID) physicians during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the Republic of Korea.

Methods: Using an online-based survey link sent via text message and email, we conducted a survey from April 21 to 25, 2020, targeting all ID physicians currently working in ID (n = 265). The questionnaire was based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales, and information was collected on factors protecting against psychological distress and difficulties in relation to COVID-19.

Results: Of 265 ID physicians, 115 (43.3%) responded, showing burnout (97, 90.4%), depression (20, 17.4%), anxiety (23, 20.0%), and stress (5, 4.3%). There were no differences in terms of distress between ID physicians who were directly involved in the care of patients with COVID-19 or not. Greater than 50% of physicians valued their work and felt recognized by others, whereas < 10% indicated that sufficient human and financial support and private time had been provided during the outbreak. The most challenging issues concerned a lack of attending physicians caring for COVID-19 patients or infection control practitioners, a shortage of personal protective equipment or airborne infection isolation rooms, pressure for research, and lack of guidelines for COVID-19 management.

Conclusions: During the COVID-19 outbreak in the Republic of Korea, most respondents reported psychological distress. Preparing strategies to secure human resources are crucial to prepare effectively for future epidemics and pandemics.

Keywords: Burnout; COVID-19; Infectious diseases medicine; Psychological; Psychological distress; South Korea.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no completing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Pride and responsibility, and satisfaction as an infectious disease physician, and intention to select infectious disease specialty again if responders were to have another opportunity to choose a specialty
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Difficulties in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Abbreviations: COVID-19, coronavirus disease 19; ICPs, infection control practitioners; PPE, personal protective equipment, AIIRs, airborne infection isolation rooms; IRB, Institutional Review Board
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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