Pandemic PTSD: Why Physicians in These Specialties Are at Triple the Risk
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A recent study found that 18.3% of physicians experienced pandemic-related PTSD between December 2019 and November 2022, a rate more than three times higher than the general population.
The highest rates of PTSD were observed among those working in family medicine and emergency medicine, with otolaryngology also significantly affected. The study also revealed that female physicians were nearly twice as likely to develop PTSD compared to their male counterparts, possibly due to limited social support during the pandemic. Additionally, medical trainees faced a higher risk of PTSD, potentially linked to workplace harassment and the longer hours worked by residents, which led to increased exposure to traumatic events.
The study emphasized the serious implications of PTSD, including burnout, decreased productivity, compromised patient care, and an increased risk of medical errors and suicide among affected physicians.
Physician Posttraumatic Stress Disorder During COVID-19 (Kamra, JAMA, 7/24).
