Open AccessEvaluation of Anesthetists' Fear Levels and Prophylaxis Practices in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
Author(s) -
Şeyda Efsun Özgünay,
Figen Akça,
Derya Karasu,
Şermin Eminoğlu,
Mehmet Gamlı
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
anestezi dergisi
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.113
H-Index - 5
eISSN - 2687-2242
pISSN - 1300-0578
DOI - 10.5222/jarss.2021.40412
Subject(s) - covid-19 , pandemic , medicine , anesthesiology , intensive care unit , isolation (microbiology) , nurse anesthetist , family medicine , emergency medicine , anesthesia , psychiatry , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Due to the working areas of anesthesiologists, the possibility of encountering COVID-19 positive or suspected patients is very high. In this study, it was aimed to raise awareness by determining the fear of COVID-19, medical prophylaxis, isolation and general approaches of the anesthetists during the COVID-19 pandemic process. METHODS: Anesthesia doctors in Turkey were included in the study. A questionnaire was prepared including demographic data, COVID-19 fear scale, perceived fear level and medical prophylaxis they used. The link was sent online to anesthetists via e-mail and WhatsApp. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-seven participants were included in the study. While 19% of the participants met with COVID-19 positive or suspected patients every day, 10.2% stated that they never had contact. Fear of Covid-19 was statistically significantly higher in women, specialists and participants with chronic diseases (respectively, p=0.003, p=0.024 and p=0.014). Anesthetists working in the COVID 19 intensive care unit had a higher level of perceived fear at the beginning of the pandemic (p=0.006). Covid-19 scores of anesthetists who changed their smoking habits were found to be statistically significantly higher (p<0.001). About half of the Anesthetists were taking vitamin supplements for prophylaxis, while one fourth were using hydroxychloroquine. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As a result of these findings, it is seen that the fear of Covid-19, in anesthetists, causes notable psychological effects and need for prophylaxis. We hope that these data will raise awareness in the near and distant future to protect the mental health of anesthetists and to reduce their fears by psychological support.