Canadian emergency physician psychological distress and burnout during the first 10 weeks of COVID‐19: A mixed‐methods study
Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to report burnout time trends and describe the psychological effects of working as a Canadian emergency physician during the first weeks of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Methods This was a mixed‐methods study. Emergency physicians com...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12225 |
| _version_ | 1818520346989428736 |
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| author | Kerstin de Wit Mathew Mercuri Clare Wallner Natasha Clayton Patrick Archambault Kerri Ritchie Caroline Gérin‐Lajoie Sara Gray Lisa Schwartz Teresa Chan for the Network of Canadian Emergency Researchers |
| author_facet | Kerstin de Wit Mathew Mercuri Clare Wallner Natasha Clayton Patrick Archambault Kerri Ritchie Caroline Gérin‐Lajoie Sara Gray Lisa Schwartz Teresa Chan for the Network of Canadian Emergency Researchers |
| author_sort | Kerstin de Wit |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to report burnout time trends and describe the psychological effects of working as a Canadian emergency physician during the first weeks of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Methods This was a mixed‐methods study. Emergency physicians completed a weekly online survey. The primary outcome was physician burnout as measured by the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization items, from the Maslach Burnout Inventory. We captured data on work patterns, aerosolizing procedures, testing and diagnosis of COVID‐19. Each week participants entered free text explaining their experiences and well‐being. Results There were 468 participants who worked in 143 Canadian hospitals. Burnout levels did not significantly change over time (emotional exhaustion P = 0.632, depersonalization P = 0.155). Three participants were diagnosed with COVID‐19. Being tested for COVID‐19 (odds ratio [OR] 11.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1–42.5) and the number of shifts worked (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.5 per additional shift) were associated with high emotional exhaustion. Having been tested for COVID‐19 (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.1–17.8) was also associated with high depersonalization. Personal safety, academic and educational work, personal protective equipment, the workforce, patient volumes, work patterns, and work environment had an impact on physician well‐being. A new financial reality and contrasting negative and positive experiences affected participants’ psychological health. Conclusion Emergency physician burnout levels remained stable during the initial 10 weeks of this pandemic. The impact of COVID‐19 on the work environment and personal perceptions and fears about the impact on lifestyle have affected physician well‐being. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T01:36:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5d2ae47cc8c44221b851de92ee4389ac |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2688-1152 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T01:36:10Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-5d2ae47cc8c44221b851de92ee4389ac2022-12-22T01:25:12ZengWileyJournal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open2688-11522020-10-01151030103810.1002/emp2.12225Canadian emergency physician psychological distress and burnout during the first 10 weeks of COVID‐19: A mixed‐methods studyKerstin de Wit0Mathew Mercuri1Clare Wallner2Natasha Clayton3Patrick Archambault4Kerri Ritchie5Caroline Gérin‐Lajoie6Sara Gray7Lisa Schwartz8Teresa Chan9for the Network of Canadian Emergency ResearchersDepartment of Medicine McMaster University Hamilton Ontario CanadaDepartment of Medicine McMaster University Hamilton Ontario CanadaDepartment of Medicine McMaster University Hamilton Ontario CanadaDepartment of Medicine McMaster University Hamilton Ontario CanadaDepartment of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine Université Laval CanadaThe Ottawa Hospital Research Institute School of Psychology University of Ottawa CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry The Ottawa Hospital CanadaDivision of Emergency Medicine Department of Medicine and the Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care University of Toronto CanadaDepartment of Health Research Methods Evidence & Impact McMaster University CanadaDepartment of Medicine McMaster University Hamilton Ontario CanadaAbstract Objectives The aim of this study was to report burnout time trends and describe the psychological effects of working as a Canadian emergency physician during the first weeks of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Methods This was a mixed‐methods study. Emergency physicians completed a weekly online survey. The primary outcome was physician burnout as measured by the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization items, from the Maslach Burnout Inventory. We captured data on work patterns, aerosolizing procedures, testing and diagnosis of COVID‐19. Each week participants entered free text explaining their experiences and well‐being. Results There were 468 participants who worked in 143 Canadian hospitals. Burnout levels did not significantly change over time (emotional exhaustion P = 0.632, depersonalization P = 0.155). Three participants were diagnosed with COVID‐19. Being tested for COVID‐19 (odds ratio [OR] 11.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1–42.5) and the number of shifts worked (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.5 per additional shift) were associated with high emotional exhaustion. Having been tested for COVID‐19 (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.1–17.8) was also associated with high depersonalization. Personal safety, academic and educational work, personal protective equipment, the workforce, patient volumes, work patterns, and work environment had an impact on physician well‐being. A new financial reality and contrasting negative and positive experiences affected participants’ psychological health. Conclusion Emergency physician burnout levels remained stable during the initial 10 weeks of this pandemic. The impact of COVID‐19 on the work environment and personal perceptions and fears about the impact on lifestyle have affected physician well‐being.https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12225COVID‐19emergency physiciansphysician burnoutphysician wellness |
| spellingShingle | Kerstin de Wit Mathew Mercuri Clare Wallner Natasha Clayton Patrick Archambault Kerri Ritchie Caroline Gérin‐Lajoie Sara Gray Lisa Schwartz Teresa Chan for the Network of Canadian Emergency Researchers Canadian emergency physician psychological distress and burnout during the first 10 weeks of COVID‐19: A mixed‐methods study Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open COVID‐19 emergency physicians physician burnout physician wellness |
| title | Canadian emergency physician psychological distress and burnout during the first 10 weeks of COVID‐19: A mixed‐methods study |
| title_full | Canadian emergency physician psychological distress and burnout during the first 10 weeks of COVID‐19: A mixed‐methods study |
| title_fullStr | Canadian emergency physician psychological distress and burnout during the first 10 weeks of COVID‐19: A mixed‐methods study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Canadian emergency physician psychological distress and burnout during the first 10 weeks of COVID‐19: A mixed‐methods study |
| title_short | Canadian emergency physician psychological distress and burnout during the first 10 weeks of COVID‐19: A mixed‐methods study |
| title_sort | canadian emergency physician psychological distress and burnout during the first 10 weeks of covid 19 a mixed methods study |
| topic | COVID‐19 emergency physicians physician burnout physician wellness |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12225 |
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