Psychological adaptation and implemented coping strategies under stressful working conditions in medical workers

Abstract

The purpose is to study the features of manifestation of coping strategies as a mechanism of psychological adaptation to stressful working conditions in medical workers. Material and methods. The survey and analysis were conducted in the following groups: group A — medical workers of COVID hospitals providing medical care to patients with COVID-19 (n=201). Group A included 3 subgroups: group 1 — general practitioners of COVID hospi tals (n=111); group 2 — surgical doctors of COVID hospitals (n=61); group 3 — nurses of COVID hospitals (n=29). Group B — medical workers of multidisciplinary hospitals providing medical care in their main profile (n=195). Group B also included 3 subgroups: group 4 — general practitioners of multidisciplinary hospitals (n=106); group 5 — surgical doctors of multidisciplinary hospitals (n=58); group 6 — nurses of multidisciplinary hospitals (n=31). Group C — medical workers of outpatient and polyclinic departments (n=186). Group C in cluded 3 subgroups as well: group 7 — general practitioners of the outpatient and polyclinic level (n=102); group 8 — surgical doctors of outpatient and polyclinic departments (n=55); group 9 — outpatient and polyclinic nurses (n=29). The control group included employees of professions that are not related to work in medical organizations (healthy). To study the mechanisms of coping strategies for overcoming psychological difficulties in medical work ers, a technique developed by R. Lazarus and S. Folkman was used. Results. Thus, as a result of the study, the features of the formation of psychological defens es of adaptive coping strategies of professional behavior in general practitioners, surgical doctors, and nurses of specialized COVID hospitals, multidisciplinary hospitals in the mode of normal operation, and outpatient and polyclinic departments are identified. Conclusions. It is shown that the prevailing coping strategies among surgical doctors of specialized COVID hospitals at a high level are such coping strategies as «distancing», «self-control», and «taking responsibility». Meanwhile, the coping strategy of «distancing» is at a high level among nurses of COVID hospitals.