How did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Pediatric Neurologists?

• Published in: Pediatric neurology 2022-07, Vol.132, p.41-44
• Main Authors: Öz Tunçer, Gökçen, Dolu, Merve Hilal, Aydin, Seren, Akça, Ünal, Aksoy, Ayşe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety; Anxiety - epidemiology; Child; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Depression; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - etiology; Humans; Middle Aged; Neurologists; Pandemic; Pandemics; Pediatric neurology; Research Paper; SARS-CoV-2; Stress
• ISSN: 0887-8994; 1873-5150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2022.05.003

In addition to physical health, pandemics affect mental health. The aim was to reveal problems encountered during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by pediatric neurologists and pediatric neurology residents in Turkey. Participants were sent a survey form using Google Forms between November 05, 2020, and December 07, 2020. The form included questions about demographic information, changes to services offered, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient follow-up/treatment and doctor decision-making, the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale 21, and the Impact of Events scale for posttraumatic stress disorder. A total of 232 pediatric neurologists and residents (mean age: 40.67 ± 7.8 years) participated. Of these 182 participants (78.4%) stated the pandemic had affected decisions during diagnosis and treatment management. A total of 222 participants completed the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale 21 and Impact of Events scale. Of these, points at levels that were “severe and very severe” were present for 42 participants (18.9%) for depression, 29 participants for anxiety (13%), and 31 participants for stress (14%). Impact of Events scale points were high at “severe” levels for 122 participants (55%). All scores were higher for those with individuals at risk in terms of COVID-19 in their family compared with those without individuals at risk in the family (P