COVID-19 pandemic impact on mental and professional cognition: A questionnaire survey on a sample of GP trainees and GPs

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Since the outbreak of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), general practitioners (GPs) have been working in the frontline under psychological and physical pressure. This study aims to evaluate the psychological health, career prospective, attitudes toward educational mode changes, and knowledge about COVID-19. Methods: An online anonymous questionnaire survey was carried out on GP trainees and GPs from June 2022 to September 2022. The survey mainly consisted of four parts: 1) general information; 2) level of knowledge about COVID-19; 3) psychological and physical health impact; and 4) changes in professional perception. Results: The total knowledge score of 43 GP trainees and 38 GPs was 334 and 283, respectively, without significant difference (z = -0.839, P = 0.402). There was no statistical difference between the scores of GP trainees and GPs for each subindicator of mental and physical disorders. Eleven GP trainees and four GPs had severe psychological disorder subindexes. Severe somatization disorder subindexes were found in eight GP trainees and five GPs. Also, 67.44% of GP trainees and 52.63% of GPs had a positive attitude toward GP career. Moreover, 62.79% of GP trainees and 52.63% of GPs considered the epidemic had no impact on their professional cognition. Among GP trainees, 62.8% and 32.6% considered the epidemic had no or slight impact on their academic activities, respectively. Also, 53.5% and 44.2% of GP trainees partially and fully approved online teaching, respectively. The most popular forms were live and recorded courses. Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic had no noticeable impact on their physical and mental health and their attitude toward GP career.