Aim: To assess the psychological impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on practicing ophthalmologists in Egypt.
Methods: A cross-sectional study with convenience sampling technique was conducted on 300 ophthalmologists from July to September 2020 through personal interview and online questionnaires including data about i. Characteristics of the participants, ii. Medical and surgical procedures that have risk for transmission of COVID 19 and usage of protective precautions, iii. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD), and iv. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Results: The study was conducted on 300 ophthalmologists distributed as 138 were male(46%) and162 were females(54%). Symptoms of anxiety were reported in 93.3% while depression symptoms were reported among(72.7%) of the participants. Anxiety significantly increased among ophthalmologists who are married(p=0.001), being resident doctor(P=0.001), having been infected with COVID-19(P=0.034) and knowing a colleague in the same specialty infected with COVD-19(0.001). Severe anxiety was significantly reported among those took all precautions against COVID-19(p=0.004) and at the same time these precaution were uncomfortable(p=0.001) where usage of face shield or slit lamp partition makes the examination difficult(p=0.029,0.001 respectively). Also severe anxiety was reported among those who decided to continue all infection control precaution incase COVID-19 continues(p=0.001). Depression symptoms were significant among ophthalmologists who are married(p=0.001), being resident doctor(P=0.001), having been infected with COVID-19(P=0.004) and knowing a colleague in the same specialty infected with COVD-19(P=0.003).
Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic had a great effect on young aged, married and resident, who taken much precautions and who are previously infected or knew a colleague infected with COVID-19.