Differences in the Long-term Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health and Professional Quality of Life of Resident and Specialist Physicians

Valentina Delle Donne; Valentina Massaroni; Nicoletta Ciccarelli; Alberto Borghetti; Arturo Ciccullo; Gianmaria Baldin; Gabriele Giuliano; Alex Dusina; Elena Visconti; Enrica Tamburrini; Simona Di Giambendetto

doi:10.23749/mdl.v114i2.13829

Authors

Valentina Delle Donne Infectious Diseases Institute, Department of Safety and Bioethics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
Valentina Massaroni Infectious Diseases Institute, Department of Safety and Bioethics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
Nicoletta Ciccarelli Department of Psychology, Catholic University, Milan, Italy
Alberto Borghetti UOC Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Arturo Ciccullo UOC Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Salvatore, L’Aquila, Italy
Gianmaria Baldin Olbia Mater Hospital, Olbia, Italy
Gabriele Giuliano UOC Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Alex Dusina UOC Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Elena Visconti UOC Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Enrica Tamburrini UOC Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Simona Di Giambendetto Infectious Diseases Institute, Department of Safety and Bioethics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy

Keywords:

Covid-19, Healthcare workers, Mental health, Professional quality of life, Burnout

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created an extremely difficult situation for healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide. We aimed to compare the mental health and professional quality of life of residents and specialist physicians in a cohort of Italian HCWs caring for patients with COVID-19 about two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In November 2021, an online survey investigating the emotional states of depression, anxiety, stress, compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue was administered to HCWs (N= 78) at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome. Results: Our findings suggest that from 5 to 20% of our cohort of HCWs still showed the effects of the adverse psychological impact of the pandemic and more than half of them experienced medium levels of compassion fatigue as well as a medium level of compassion satisfaction. Our results also show that those with fewer years of clinical practice might be at greater risk of burnout (p= 0.021), anxiety and stress symptoms (both ps= 0.027) and might develop a lower level of compassion satisfaction (p=0.018). Moreover, the factors that potentially contribute to poor mental health, compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction seem to differ between residents and specialist physicians. Conclusions: This overview presents one of the first pictures of the long-term effects of the pandemic on the mental health and professional quality of life of an Italian sample of HCWs. Moreover, it also helps identify professionals who are most in need of support and emphasises the importance of improving the psychological and professional wellbeing of these individuals especially during a pandemic-like crisis with long lasting effects.

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