In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 16, No. 5 ( 2021-5-18), p. e0251525-
Abstract:
Introduction: SARS-Cov-2 virus pandemic causes serious emotional consequences. It has occurred widespread medical courses suspension, and graduations were anticipated. Field hospitals, set up to treat patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, were the main workplaces of newly graduated doctors. Objective: To assess the impact of SARS-Cov-2/COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of medical interns and newly graduated doctors. Method: This is a cross-sectional study performed using a digital platform. Links to forms were sent in two moments: moment 1 (M1), at the beginning of the pandemic, in the first half of April/2020 and moment 2 (M2), after six months of pandemic, in the second half of September/2020. All students from the medical internship and all doctors graduated since 2018 from the three medical schools in Sergipe-NE-Brazil were invited. Results: 335 forms were answered in April and 148 in September. In M1 88.9% considered themselves exposed to excess of information about COVID-19, which was associated with anxiety symptoms (p = 0.04). Long family physical distance was also associated with these symptoms, as increased appetite (p = 0.01), feeling shortness of breath (p = 0.003) and sweating (p = 0.007). Fear of acquire COVID-19 was reported as intense by almost half of participants, and of transmitting by 85.7% in M1. In M2 41.2% reported the death of friends or relatives. Psychiatric illness was described by 38.5% and psychotropic drugs use by 30.1% in M1, especially those who lived alone (p = 0.03) and the single ones (p = 0.01). Alcohol intake was reported by 54.3%, and among doctors graduated in 2020 it increased from 50% in M1 to 85% in M2 (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The pandemic had a negative impact on the mental health of medical students and newly graduated doctors. Exposure to excessive COVID-19 information and family physical distance were associated to anxiety symptoms. Among doctors graduated in 2020, alcohol intake increased during pandemic evolution.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.r004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.r005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0251525.r006
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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