Evaluation of depression, anxiety and perceived stress levels of pediatricians prior to and during COVID-19-19 pandemic

The physicians with significant roles and responsibilities in the fight against the COVID-19 virus are affected not only physically but also psychologically by the pandemic. This study investigated the level at which the 30 physicians who practice and lecture at the Çukurova University Balcalı Hospital Department of Pediatrics were impacted psychologically by the pandemic. The participants were given the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), each at three different times. The initial measurements of the study were performed in December 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic appeared in Turkey) to evaluate the psychological states of the pediatricians, and it was decided to continue the study after the outbreak of the pandemic in order to investigate the impact of the pandemic on the participants. The second measurements were conducted in December 2020 (one year after the initial appearance of the pandemic in Turkey, when it was widespread across the country), and the last measurements in October 2021 (two years after the start of the pandemic). Semi-structured interviews were also performed with the study group regarding the psychological difficulties they faced during the pandemic, and findings were recorded. The PSS scores of 35.30, 37.30 and 38.30 (p>.05) in the order of application, which are considered to be high, weren't associated with the pandemic. 24 participants (80%) in the first measurings, 27 participants (90%) in the second measurings, and 27 participants (90%) in the last one were identified to have high levels of stress. The BAI scores were 6.80, 15.86, and 8.10 (p<.01) in the order of application and were initially seen to increase significantly and then to decrease. 1 participant (3%) in the first measurings, 16 participants (53%) in the second measurings, and 2 participants (7%) in the last one were identified to have medium or high levels of anxiety. The increase was associated with the uncertainty of the pandemic, while the decrease was associated with the vaccination process. The BDI scores were 6.60, 7.03, and 11.83 (p<.01) in the order of application. The participants' third scores were significantly higher than their second scores, which was considered to possibly indicate mild clinical depression. 1 participant (3%) in the first measurings, 2 participants (7%) in the second measurings, and 5 participants (17%) in the last one were identified to have medium or high levels of depression. This study is limited to this study group and cannot be generalized.