Mental disease of doctors in the COVID-19 pandemic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25118/2763-9037.2021.v11.57Keywords:
Mental disorders, Pandemics, Occupational Diseases, Burnout Syndrome, covid19Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existential anguish surrounding dying. Insecurity and uncertainty related to the limits of science and the lack of scientific consensus on this new disease highlights the need to investigate, reflect, and review information on mental health problems related to medical work, especially for those in the front line of provision of care for people with COVID-19. There is also a need to discuss the stigma attached to this population’s psychological suffering, especially during the pandemic and to identify mental disorders early and immediately seek specialized mental health services. Methods: A narrative review aimed at discussing the state of the art and updating knowledge about mental illness among doctors in the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The scientific literature reveals high prevalence rates of common mental disorder (CMD), depressive symptoms, burnout, and suicide among students, residents, teachers, and medical professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic poses a risk of mental health disorders, commonly described as the fourth wave of the pandemic, which would be triggered by biopsychosocial elements arising from the quarantine period and prioritization of physical care over provision of mental health care. Conclusions: Healthcare institutions should review and reflect on their role in the promotion, maintenance, and prevention of psychological suffering and mental disorders identified among physicians. These measures will contribute to planning of better strategies that preserve their mental health, with positive consequences for society as a whole.
Downloads
Metrics
References
Baldassin S. O desgaste no internato: o nascimento do coping de um médico. In: Guimarães KB. Saúde mental do médico e do estudante de medicina. São Paulo: Casa do Psicólogo; 2007. p. 51-60. https://www.pearsonclinical.com.br/saude-mental-do-medico-e-do-estudante-de-medicina.html
Pacheco JP, Giacomin HT, Tam WW, Ribeiro TB, Arab C, Bezerra IM, et al. Mental health problems among medical students in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Braz J Psychiatry. 2017;39:369-78. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2017-2223 PMid:28876408 MCid:PMC7111407
Rotenstein LS, Ramos MA, Torre M, Segal JB, Peluso MJ, Guille C, et al. Prevalence of depression, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation among medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2016;316:2214-36. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.17324 PMid:27923088 PMCid:PMC5613659
Mata DA, Ramos MA, Bansal N, Khan R, Guille C, Di Angelantonio E, et al. Prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms among resident physicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2015;314:2373-83. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.15845 PMid:26647259 PMCid:PMC4866499
Rodrigues TM, Melo EV, Oliva-Costa EF. Prevalência da síndrome de Burnout e fatores associados entre médicos egressos de universidade pública brasileira. In: 17º Congresso da ISMA-BR. 2017. Anais do ISMA-BR. http://www.ismabrasil.com.br/congressos/congresso-2017/patrocine
Duarte D, El-Hagrassy MM, Couto TC, Gurgel W, Fregni F, Correa H. Male and female physician suicidality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2020;77:587-97. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.0011 PMid:32129813 PMCid:PMC7057173
Pereira-Lima K, Mata DA, Loureiro SR, Crippa JA, Bolsoni LM, Sen S. Association between physician depressive symptoms and medical errors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2:e1916097. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.16097 PMid:31774520 PMCid:PMC6902829
Williams R, Bisson J, Kemp V. Principles for responding to people's psychosocial and mental health needs after disasters [Internet]. The Royal College of Psychiatrists. 2014 Nov [cited 2020 Mar 31]. https://www.apothecaries.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/OP94.pdf
World Health Organization (WHO). Infection prevention and control during health care when novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection is suspected [Internet]. 2020 Mar 19 [cited 2021 Jun 10]. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/10665-331495
Zhang C, Yang L, Liu S, Ma S, Wang Y, Cai Z, et al. Survey of insomnia and related social psychological factors among medical staff involved with the 2019 novel coronavirus disease outbreak. Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:306. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00306 PMid:32346373 PMCid:PMC7171048
Torjesen I. Covid-19: doctors need proper mental health support, says BMA. BMJ. 2020;369:m2192. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2192 PMid:32482682
Shah N, Raheem A, Sideris M, Velauthar L, Saeed F. Mental health amongst obstetrics and gynaecology doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of a UK-wide study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2020;253:90-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.07.060 PMid:32829231 PMCid:PMC7417944
Rimmer A. Covid-19: two fifths of doctors say pandemic has worsened their mental health. BMJ. 2020;371:m4148. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m4148 PMid:33109530
Lazzerini M, Putoto G. COVID-19 in Italy: momentous decisions and many uncertainties. Lancet Glob Health. 2020;8:e641-2. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30110-8
Rathod S, Pallikadavath S, YoungAH, Graves L, Rahman MM, Brooks A, et al. Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic: protocol and results of first three weeks from an international cross-section survey - focus on health professionals. J Affect Disord Rep. 2020;1:100005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2020.100005 PMid:33313579 PMCid:PMC7507987
Rimmer A. Covid-19: drop the hero narrative and support doctors' mental health, says charity. BMJ. 2021;372:n337. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n337 PMid:33541858
Supporting the mental health of NHS staff. The role of NHS leaders in reducing mental health stigma and creating mentally healthy cultures [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2021 Jun 10]. https://cdn.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02114357/BMA-Stigma-Resource-.pdf
da Silva AG, Miranda DM, Diaz AP, Telles AL, Malloy-Diniz LF, Palha AP. Mental health: why it still matters in the midst of a pandemic. Braz J Psychiatry. 2020;42:229-31. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2020-0009 PMid:32267344 PMCid:PMC7236155
Mari J. O pior da pandemia se dará na saúde mental [Internet]. Folha de São Paulo. 2020 [cited 2020 Jun 08]. https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/opiniao/2020/05/o-pior-da-pandemia-se-dara-na-saude-mental.shtml
Gunnell D, Appleby L, Arensman E, Hawton K, John A, Kapur N, et al. Suicide risk and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Sep 28]. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(20)30171-1/fulltext
Coluna Mundo. Médica da linha de frente contra coronavírus comete suicídio nos EUA [Internet]. Folha de São Paulo. 2020 [cited 2020 Jun 13]. https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mundo/2020/04/medica-da-linha-de-frente-contra-coronavirus-comete-suicidio-nos-eua.shtml
Meleiro AM. Consequências do trabalho na saúde mental do médico: qual a realidade? In: Cordeiro Q, Razzouk D, Lima MG. Trabalho e saúde mental dos profissionais da saúde. São Paulo: CRMESP; 2016. p. 107-30. https://sbph.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/trabalho-e-saude-mental-dos-profissionais-da-saude.pdf
Pappa S, Ntella V, Giannakas T, Giannakoulis VG, Papoutsi E, Katsaounou P. Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Behav Immun. 2020;88:901-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.026 PMid:32437915 PMCid:PMC7206431
De Boni RB, Balanzá-Martínez V, Mota JC, Cardoso TA, Ballester P, Atienza-Carbonell, B, et al. Depression, anxiety, and lifestyle among essential workers: a web survey from Brazil and Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22:e22835. https://doi.org/10.2196/22835 PMid:33038075 PMCid:PMC7641648
Badahdah A, Khamis F, Al Mahyijari N, Al Balushi M, Al Hatmi H, Al Salmi I, et al. The mental health of health care workers in Oman during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2021;67:90-5. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764020939596 PMid:32635837 PMCid:PMC8191150
Civantos AM, Bertelli A, Gonçalves A, Getzen E, Chang C, Long Q, et al. Mental health among head and neck surgeons in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national study. Am J Otolaryngol. 2020;41:102694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102694 PMid:32854041 PMCid:PMC7442010
Ministério da Saúde, FIOCRUZ. Saúde mental e atenção psicossocial na pandemia Covid-19 [Internet]. [cited 2020 Jun 15]. https://www.fiocruzbrasilia.fiocruz.br/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Sa%C3%BAde-Mental-e-Aten%C3%A7%C3%A3o-Psicossocial-na-Pandemia-Covid-19-recomenda%C3%A7%C3%B5es-gerais.pdf
Galbraith N, Boyda D, McFeeters D, Hassan T. The mental health of doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic. BJPsych Bull. 2021;45:93-7. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2020.44 PMid:32340645 PMCid:PMC7322151
Salum GA, Rehmenklau JF, Csordas MC, Pereira FP, Castan JU, Ferreira AB, et al. Supporting people with severe mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic: considerations for low- and middle-income countries using telehealth case management. Braz J Psychiatry. 2020;42:451-2. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2020-1078 PMid:32578690 PMCid:PMC7430400
Fukuti P, Uchôa CL, Mazzoco MF, Corchs F, Kamitsuji CS, De Rossi L, et al. How institutions can protect the mental health and psychosocial well-being of their healthcare workers in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2020;75:e1963. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2020/e1663
Published
How to Cite
Conference Proceedings Volume
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2021 Alexandrina Maria Augusto da Silva Meleiro, Arthur Hirschfeld Danila , Eduardo de Castro Humes, Sergio Pedro Baldassin , Antonio Geraldo da Silva, Edméa Fontes de Oliva-Costa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Debates em Psiquiatria allows the author (s) to keep their copyrights unrestricted. Allows the author (s) to retain their publication rights without restriction. Authors should ensure that the article is an original work without fabrication, fraud or plagiarism; does not infringe any copyright or right of ownership of any third party. Authors should also ensure that each one complies with the authorship requirements as recommended by the ICMJE and understand that if the article or part of it is flawed or fraudulent, each author shares responsibility.
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) - Debates em Psiquiatria is governed by the licencse CC-By-NC
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
