One in three physicians participating in a study on the pandemic’s impact on their mental health exhibit severe psychological trauma, 10% admit to having suicidal thoughts, and nearly half report high levels of anxiety.
The study, conducted by the National Federation of Doctors (FNAM) in collaboration with the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at the University of Porto, reveals a “severe and prolonged impact” of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of doctors in Portugal.
Data gathered from the 130 professionals involved in the study indicate that 28% experience high burnout, 39% severe depression, and 34% demonstrate intense psychological trauma.
The study also points to persistent psychological suffering, with continuous complaints of accumulated emotional exhaustion since the pandemic’s onset.
Despite acknowledging limitations due to the small number of participants and their geographic distribution, FNAM considers the study an “incontestable warning.”
“Doctors suffer from the physical, emotional, and mental strain of their profession,” FNAM notes, emphasizing the urgency to “care for those who save lives.”
The research primarily aimed to assess levels of burnout, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among this professional group, which has been highly exposed to extreme stress during the pandemic crisis.
The findings show that 44% of doctors currently rate their psychological health as poor, and 45% report worsening compared to the pandemic’s most intense period.
The investigation demonstrates that anxiety and depression are “strong predictors of burnout,” while post-traumatic stress and suicidal ideation mutually influence each other.
No significant differences were found related to contact with COVID-19 patients, but higher distress levels are observed among female doctors, those with prolonged work hours, and professionals who have already sought help, FNAM’s statement reveals.
More than three in four reported that their weekly working hours exceeded the stipulated time, mainly due to “bureaucracies, high care demand, and a lack of doctors.”
FNAM states that the collected reports “reinforce the impact of traumatic moments experienced during the pandemic’s initial months” and highlight “persistent psychological suffering” among doctors, with ongoing complaints of accumulated emotional exhaustion.
In light of these results, FNAM stresses that the National Health Service “must adequately protect those who were, and continue to be, on the front lines.”
