The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional life and well-being in German physicians: A cross-sectional study

Edgar Voltmer, Susen Köslich-Strumann*, Katja Goetz

*Corresponding author for this work

Abstract

This study assessed perceptions of German physicians’ regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related issues as well as mental and physical health. Almost three quarters of the physicians felt stressed by the increased quantity (69%) and quality (73%) of the work and felt physically (68%) or mentally exhausted (71%). Also about three-quarters of physicians reported the pandemic having a strong impact on family life. A higher proportion feared to infect their family more than being infected themselves (66% vs 50%). Mental health scores were significantly lower in physicians compared to the general population. In female physicians, these findings were even more pronounced. Stressful work conditions and feelings of isolation were the most important predictors for mental health scores (R 2 = 0.37), and also for motivation to work (R 2 = 0.20). Preventive measures to strengthen resilience and optimize work organization are warranted to alleviate the toll of the pandemic on physicians.

Original languageEnglish
JournalArchives of Environmental and Occupational Health
Volume78
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)321-328
Number of pages8
ISSN1933-8244
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

DFG Research Classification Scheme

  • 2.22-02 Public Health, Healthcare Research, Social and Occupational Medicine
  • 1.21-04 Educational Research on Socialization and Professionalism

Coronavirus related work

  • Research on SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19

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