OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, coping strategies, and willingness to go on duty in a COVID-referral hospital in Metro Manila among medical interns from March to April 2021.

METHODS

The study comprised medical interns selected via stratified random sampling and was conducted to meet the research objectives. Data were obtained through the Willingness to Go on Duty questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and the Filipino Coping Strategies Scale. Descriptive and inferential analysis (chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman’s correlation) of data was used in this study.

RESULTS

26.62%, 23.02%, and 13.67% of the 139 participants reported having severe to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, internship classification, training/track, presence of comorbidities, and living arrangement were not associated with psychological distress, while the use of some coping strategies was associated with some of these variables. 85.61% of the medical students who participated in the study expressed willingness to go on duty in non-COVID areas, while only 43.88% were willing to go on duty in COVID areas. Most of the participants who are unwilling to report in non-COVID areas reported having symptoms of moderate to extremely severe depression based on their DASS-21 scores.

CONCLUSION

Coping strategies used by medical students in this tertiary COVID-19 hospital during the pandemic differed across demographic variables and may be a function of societal and cultural norms. The top reason for the willingness to go on duty regardless of area of assignment (COVID or non-COVID) is the need for clinical learning experience and skills development, while the main reason for their refusal is the fear of being exposed to or contracting COVID-19.

Human ; Female ; Internship And Residency ; World Health Organization ; Students, Medical ; Referral And Consultation ; Psychological Distress ; Track And Field

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and the coping styles among physicians and nurses in a COVID-19 referral hospital in Manila from June to July 2020. Methods: A cross-sectional study among medical residents and nurses selected via convenience sampling was employed. Data were obtained through COVID Stressors and Stress Reduction Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, and Filipino Coping Strategies Scale. Descriptive and inferential analysis of data was done. Results: Five hundred seventy-one (571) healthcare workers (total population: 1,650 nurses and physicians) participated in the study, representing 81.6% of the computed sample size of 700 respondents. Among the participants, 60.6 %, 69.0%, 48.9% reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Nineteen percent (19%) of nurses reported severe to extremely severe depression, and 42.0% reported severe to extremely severe anxiety. In contrast, 30.8% of residents reported severe to extremely severe depression, and 28.4% conveyed severe to extremely severe anxiety. There was no association observed between perceived levels of stress between the two healthcare professions. There were more mildly to extremely severe anxious healthcare workers in the COVID areas (74.6%) compared to the non-COVID areas (61.2%). Differences in coping styles were observed among the participants’ clinico-demographic characteristics. Top healthcare worker stressors include being negligent and endangering co-workers (88.6%), frequent modification of infection control procedures (87.0%), and discomfort from protective equipment (81.4%). Top stress-reducing factors include provision of food and vitamins (86.7%), sufficient rest (84.2%), and support from higher-ranking colleagues (73.7%). Conclusion This study has shown that more than half of the healthcare workers reported mild to extreme levels of depression and anxiety, while a little less than half reported mild to extreme levels of stress. The development and implementation of hospital interventions and programs based on the sources of distress and stress-reducing factors is recommended to mitigate the impact of sustained psychological distress on mental health and physical wellbeing of hospital healthcare workers.
Psychological Distress

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and the coping styles among physicians and nurses in a COVID-19 referral hospital in Manila from June to July 2020.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study among medical residents and nurses selected via convenience sampling was employed. Data were obtained through COVID Stressors and Stress Reduction Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, and Filipino Coping Strategies Scale. Descriptive and inferential analysis of data was done.

RESULTS

Five hundred seventy-one (571) healthcare workers (total population: 1,650 nurses and physicians) participated in the study, representing 81.6% of the computed sample size of 700 respondents. Among the participants, 60.6 %, 69.0%, 48.9% reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Nineteen percent (19%) of nurses reported severe to extremely severe depression, and 42.0% reported severe to extremely severe anxiety. In contrast, 30.8% of residents reported severe to extremely severe depression, and 28.4% conveyed severe to extremely severe anxiety. There was no association observed between perceived levels of stress between the two healthcare professions. There were more mildly to extremely severe anxious healthcare workers in the COVID areas (74.6%) compared to the non-COVID areas (61.2%). Differences in coping styles were observed among the participants’ clinico-demographic characteristics. Top healthcare worker stressors include being negligent and endangering co-workers (88.6%), frequent modification of infection control procedures (87.0%), and discomfort from protective equipment (81.4%). Top stress-reducing factors include provision of food and vitamins (86.7%), sufficient rest (84.2%), and support from higher-ranking colleagues (73.7%).

CONCLUSION

This study has shown that more than half of the healthcare workers reported mild to extreme levels of depression and anxiety, while a little less than half reported mild to extreme levels of stress. The development and implementation of hospital interventions and programs based on the sources of distress and stress-reducing factors is recommended to mitigate the impact of sustained psychological distress on mental health and physical wellbeing of hospital healthcare workers.

Psychological Distress ; Health Personnel ; Mental Health

Objectives: Psychological distress is more prevalent among medical students compared to the general population. This study describes the factors which contribute to the well-being of medical students enrolled in the UP College of Medicine, and their relationship with the students’ demographic characteristics. Methods: The modified Cardiff Medical School Well-being Questionnaire was administered to 598 students of the UP College of Medicine. The following domains were explored: acquisition of knowledge and skills, work-life balance, demands, travel and orientation, safety, culture, finances, perceived support in academics and perceived support in personal/health matters. Students also shared their insights regarding potential areas of change to enhance their engagement and performance. Demographics are presented as frequency and percentage; the relationship between the demographic characteristics and factors was analyzed through multiple linear regression. Results: The mean age of the medical student participants was 22.6 years, with an almost equal male to female ratio. The majority were single, Roman Catholic, lateral entrants, having a high socioeconomic status, and with residence in the City of Manila while in training. Medical students were least concerned about culture, safety at work, travel and orientation, and perceived support for academics. However, they were most concerned about work-life balance, demands, finance, and perceived support on personal and health matters. Conclusion Medical students expressed more concern about work-life balance, demands, finance, and perceived support on personal and health issues, and marked less concern about culture, safety at work, travel and orientation, and perceived support for academics. Across all domains, there are areas for improvement and limitations which can be further explored in future studies.
psychiatry ; mental health ; medical students ; well-being ; education

OBJECTIVE: To compare the validities of two instruments- the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Questionnaire (PRIME-MD PQ) and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ)- in terms of discriminating between patients with and without psychiatric disorders seen at the UP-PGH Pain Clinic. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, criterion standard SETTING: Pain Clinic at the Department of Outpatient Services SUBJECTS: A total of 102 adult patients assessed by three pain fellow physicians MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Positive or negative results for mental disorders using PRIME-MD PQ and SRQ as screening procedure plotted against psychiatric interview whether positive or negative using a two-by-two contingency table RESULTS: There was good agreement between PRIME-MD PQ and psychiatric interview (k=0.67) whereas poor correlation between SRQ and psychiatric interview (k=0.51). However, with the removal of one item eliciting grandiosity from the "psychotic" items, agreement with the SRQ rose to k=0.76 when all items on psychosis are eliminated (shorter version of SRQ), agreement was almost excellent (k=0.79). CONCLUSION: The modified version of SRQ is slightly superior to the PRIME-MD PQ in discriminating between patients with and without psychiatric disorders at the Pain Clinic.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER ; ANESTHESIOLOGY ; PAIN CLINICS ; PRIMARY CARE ; PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS ; DEPRESSION ; MENTAL DISORDERS ; ANXIETY ; PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

This research aims to compare the validity of two (2) screening instruments - PRIME-MD PQ and SRQ - in terms of their ability to discriminate patients with psychiatric disorders from those without at the UP-PGH Pain Clinic. This is a cross sectional study 102 of patients evaluated by 3 pain fellow physicians and reviewed by 1 psychiatrist. There was good agreement between PRIME-MD PQ and psychiatric interview (k=0.67) compared to the correlation between SRQ and psychiatric interview (k=0.51). However, with the removal of the item in the SRQ eliciting grandiosity from the "psychotic" items, agreement of the psychiatric interview with the modified SRQ (without item 22) rose to k=0.76. When all items on psychosis were eliminated (SRQ-20), agreement was even better (k=0.79). Both shorter versions of SRQ (Modified SRQ & SRQ-20) were superior to the PRIME-MD PQ in discriminating between patients with and without psychiatric disorders at the pain clinic.
Human ; MENTAL DISORDERS

This study was undertaken in conjunction with a program aimed at promoting community-oriented medical education and introducing community-based mental health care to primary care. The findings of this study will be used in selecting priorities and designing interventions for the community. Attitudes towards mental disorders were studied in an urban community using standardized interviews with key informants The informants were given descriptions of common mental disorders, and they knew an average of two individuals who matched the given descriptions. The primary source of help for physical health problems as well as psychological symptoms was found to be modern health services Traditional healers seemed to be less sought after except in cases of "possession." The most commonly identified conditions were substance-related problems, mental retardation, and epilepsy. Perception of mental illness and their social consequences have been graphically represented as "attitude profiles," where differences in responses to the six mental conditions were elicited. Most respondents showed negative reactions towards psychotic disorders while depression and anxiety garnered more optimistic responses. Epilepsy and mental retardation, although perceived as grave, were believed not to bring about serious consequences.
MENTAL DISORDERS ;