Le jeudi 27 octobre
14:30 – 15:30 (1 hr)
Salle de réunion : Chestnut (Mezzanine)
G. Camelia Adams*, MD, MSc, FRCPC; Stephen Adams, MD, FRCPC

Rôles CanMEDS :

1. Promoteur de la santé
2. Professionnel
3. Collaborateur

À la conclusion de cette activité, les participants seront en mesure de : 1) Become aware of the symptoms experienced by physicians during the pandemic and their progression over time; 2) Become aware of the main strategies employed by physicians to cope with the difficulties of the pandemic; and 3) Become aware of physicians’ personal experiences during the pandemic.

This symposium presents the results of quantitative and qualitative studies done between 2020 to present to examine how physicians working in different specialties have been affected by the pandemic. We are presenting results of longitudinal quantitative and qualitative studies, hoping to bring awareness of the struggles physicians have encountered and the ways they have coped. In addition, we are presenting the perspectives that physicians have shared in individual interviews. We hope this research will bring awareness and facilitate needed interventions to support health care workers in general and physicians in particular.

S03a – The Impact of the Pandemic on Physicians’ Physical and Mental Health: One-Year Longitudinal Study
G. Camelia Adams, MD, MSc, FRCPC

À la conclusion de cette activité, les participants seront en mesure de : 1) Appreciate the prevalence of physical and mental health symptoms in some Canadian physicians; 2) Appreciate the longitudinal aspects of some of these symptoms; and 3) Discuss implications for the health system and needed interventions.

Physicians have been at the forefront of health care during the COVID-19 pandemic, facing major stress due to the spread of this contagion and its consequences. This study explores longitudinally (over one year) the physical and mental health difficulties experienced by physicians practising in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Methods: Data were collected via anonymous online survey at two time points: November 2020 to January 2021 (T1) and November 2021 to January 2022 (T2). The survey covered measures on demographics, COVID-19 exposure, and COVID-related physical and mental health difficulties. Descriptive statistics were generated for studied variables. The impact of sex, age, COVID-19 exposure, and family status were examined.

Results: At T1, most physicians admitted to worsened emotional (70%) and physical health (53%). Sleep difficulties were reported by 43% of physicians. Depression and generalized anxiety were reported by 35% and 26%, respectively. Only 3.7% of physicians screened positive for COVID-related trauma. T2 data (currently being collected) will also be presented.

Conclusions: Rates of mental health concerns in physicians have been high and comparable with those recorded in other parts of the world during the pandemic. Trauma-related disorders are significantly low in this sample. After the final analysis, we will be able to present how these symptoms have evolved over one year and discuss further implications (data will be ready for the Canadian Psychiatric Association).

Références :

1. Havaei F, Smith P, Oudyk J, et al. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of nurses in British Columbia, using trends analysis across three time points. Ann Epidemiol 2021;62:7–12.
2. Lai J, Ma S, Wang Y, et al. Factors associated with mental health outcomes among health care workers exposed to coronavirus disease 2019. JAMA Netw Open 2020;3(3):e203976.

S03b – Surviving the Pandemic: A Longitudinal Exploration of Coping Strategies Used by Physicians in Saskatchewan, Canada
Stephen Adams, MD, FRCPC

À la conclusion de cette activité, les participants seront en mesure de : 1) Appreciate the types of coping strategies used by physicians to deal with the pandemic challenges; 2) Appreciate the evolution of these strategies over one year; and 3) Discuss implications for interventions meant to support the health and well-being of physicians in Canada.

In the face of multiple challenges faced during the pandemic, physicians had to resort to creative ways to keep themselves physically and psychologically healthy. This study investigated the coping strategies used by physicians practising in Saskatchewan, Canada, and their evolution over one year.

Methods: Data were collected via anonymous online survey at two time points: November 2020 to January 2021 (T1) and November 2021 to January 2022 (T2). The survey asked physicians to list the top three coping strategies used during the pandemic. Collected data were coded and organized according to themes. Four main categories of coping styles emerged: Behavioural, Cognitive, Relational, and Spiritual. At T2, physicians were also asked to voice what kind of support they needed to cope better.

Results: At T1, most reported coping mechanisms were healthy (91.3%) and included behavioural (36.8%), relational (29.5%), cognitive (18.3%), and spiritual (6.6%) strategies. Only one physician reported the use of professional help to cope. Data are currently collected for T2 and will be ready for the Canadian Psychiatric Association.

Conclusions: According to our data from T1, most physicians are self-reliant in terms of coping strategies and employ mature approaches. Of note, Behavioural (exercise, physical activities) and Relational (e.g., connection with friends and family) approaches seem to be the most preferred means of coping, with cognitive and spiritual approaches to a lesser degree. In contrast with studies from other parts of the world, Canadian physicians seem to resort minimally to professional help. Data from T2 will also be presented for the Canadian Psychiatric Association.

Références :

1. Shechter A, Diaz F, Moise N, et al. Psychological distress, coping behaviors, and preferences for support among New York healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2020;66:1–8.
2. Polizzi C, Lynn SJ, Perry A. Stress and coping in the time of COVID-19: pathways to resilience and recovery. Clin Neuropsychiatry 2020;17(2):59–62.

S03c – A Qualitative Exploration of Physicians’ Experiences of the COVID Pandemic: Professional and Personal Reflections
G. Camelia Adams, MD, MSc, FRCPC

À la conclusion de cette activité, les participants seront en mesure de : 1) Become aware of physicians’ personal experiences during the pandemic; 2) Appreciate the protective factors and vulnerabilities posed by physicians’ challenges; and 3) Contemplate some solutions that can further support physicians’ health and professional longevity.

Qualitative studies investigating the subjective experience of physicians during the pandemic are lacking. This study explores the experiences of physicians from various specialties practising in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Methods: A total of 17 semistructured interviews were conducted with physicians from different specialties who volunteered for the study. Interviews took place by telephone or video, between 2020 and 2021; thematic analysis was done to explore physicians’ pandemic experiences.

Results: As physicians reflect on the pandemic’s impact, they recognize their emerging need for personal fulfilment and growth beyond their professional lives. The shifting priorities brought life’s temporality and the importance of family and work-life balance to the forefront. The benefits and downsides of virtual or hybrid care were explored, leading to a new appreciation and awareness of downsides. Most physicians described gratitude and optimism in the context of professional and personal solidarity. Personal values, such as stoicism and altruism, also seem protective. They related negative feelings of anger, fear, and frustration to the overwhelming pressures, uncertainty, and occasional feelings of injustice and betrayal. Regardless of their emotional response, physicians’ faith in humanity, relationships, and science were the primary coping strategies to maintain resilience and build adaptation. As the pandemic continued, physicians learned new ways to improve health care and perceived acutely that humanity should be more aware of its social realities to become resilient.

Conclusion: Physicians’ reflections offer unique insights into their resilience and wisdom. These valuable reflections unveil opportunities for interventions that can promote health and prevent burnout.

Références :

1. Thommasen HV, Lavanchy M, Connelly I, et al. Mental health, job satisfaction, and intention to relocate. Opinions of physicians in rural British Columbia. Can Fam Physician 2001;47:737–44.
2. Shechter A, Diaz F, Moise N, et al. Psychological distress, coping behaviors, and preferences for support among New York healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2020;66:1–8.