Emotional state of anesthesiologists and intensivists in different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic�

Abstract

Objective: identifcation of the peculiarities of the emotional states of anesthesiologists and intensivists in different periods of the COVID-19 Pandemic.Material and Methods. The study was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire survey in the frst and second waves of the pandemic COVID-19 among anesthesiologists and intensivists of the Arkhangelsk region: in May 2020 (in the frst wave of the COVID-19 pandemic), 58 doctors participated; the average age was 32.7 ± 1.7 years (M ± SD); in October 2020 (during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic), 43 doctors were involved; the average age was 28.0 ± 1.2 years (M ± SD). The repeated questionnaire survey was conducted among the same doctors.Results. During the second wave of COVID-19, male doctors more often noted poor health, signifcant heaviness and intensity of their work versus the frst wave, while women on the contrary during the frst wave had a poorer emotional state and higher level of emotional burnout. During the second wave of COVID-19, anesthesiologists and intensivists involved in caring for patients with COVID-19 were more likely to experience poor emotional state, anxiety, low mood, irritability, and a high level of burnout compared to the frst wave.Summary. The second wave of COVID-19 is accompanied by further exhaustion of emotional resources of anesthesiologists and intensivists.

Keywords

• covid-19 pandemic
• anesthesiologists
• intensivists
• mental health