How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Affected the Anxiety Levels Among Various Specialty Physicians

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 4, 314 - 329, 30.11.2025

Sedat Bostan , Ramazan Erdem , Ahmet Kaya , Yasemin Kaya

https://doi.org/10.19127/mbsjohs.1803408

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety levels across various medical disciplines and explores whether this effect varies according to certain characteristics.
Method: This research included only scientific studies that evaluated the anxiety levels of participating physicians using identical measures and were conducted in Türkiye during the COVID-19 pandemic for a credible comparison.
Results: It was determined that 43% of physicians had different levels of anxiety attributable to COVID-19 (20.6% mild, 12.1% moderate, and 10.3% severe anxiety). The predominant response in the Beck Anxiety Inventory was the fear of death, recorded at 38.9%. A notable disparity was seen among the specialty groups regarding anxiety levels. The internal medicine department had the highest mean Beck Anxiety score (13.43±13.344) (p=0.012). The mean anxiety ratings were elevated in females (12.655±11.372) (p=0.001). Assistant Professors (12.376±13.286) and Assistant Physicians (11.457±12.718) exhibited elevated anxiety levels when analyzed by academic status (p=0.033). The anxiety scores of experts who treated COVID-19 patients were considerably elevated (10.906±11.585) (p=0.002). The anxiety score of specialists treating COVID-19 patients was considerably elevated (11.309±11.591) (p=0.000).
Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant prevalence of worry and dread of mortality was observed among physicians. The highest rate was observed among internal medicine physicians. Given that worry and fear of mortality impair physicians' capacity to adequately treat and monitor patients, it is imperative to conduct studies aimed at alleviating these concerns among physicians during the pandemic.

Keywords

COVID-19 , physicians , anxiety , fear of death , Türkiye

Ethical Statement

ETHICAL APPROVAL RECEIVED

Supporting Institution

None

Thanks

None

COVID-19 Pandemisinin Çeşitli Uzman Hekimler Arasındaki Kaygı Düzeylerini Nasıl Etkiledi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, COVID-19 pandemisinin çeşitli tıp disiplinlerindeki anksiyete düzeyleri üzerindeki etkisini incelemekte ve bu etkinin belirli özelliklere göre değişip değişmediğini araştırmaktadır.

Materyal Yöntem: Bu araştırma, güvenilir bir karşılaştırma sağlamak amacıyla yalnızca katılımcı hekimlerin anksiyete düzeylerini aynı ölçümleri kullanarak değerlendiren ve COVID-19 pandemisi sırasında Türkiye'de yürütülen bilimsel çalışmaları içermektedir.

Bulgular: Hekimlerin %43'ünün COVID-19'a atfedilebilen farklı anksiyete düzeylerine sahip olduğu (%20,6 hafif, %12,1 orta ve %10,3 şiddetli anksiyete) belirlenmiştir. Beck Anksiyete Envanteri'nde baskın yanıt %38,9 ile ölüm korkusu olmuştur. Anksiyete düzeyleri açısından uzmanlık grupları arasında belirgin bir farklılık görülmüştür. Dahiliye bölümü en yüksek ortalama Beck Anksiyete puanına (13,43 ± 13,344) sahiptir (p=0,012). Kadınlarda anksiyete puan ortalaması yüksek bulundu (12,655±11,372) (p=0,001). Yardımcı Doçentler (12,376±13,286) ve Yardımcı Hekimler (11,457±12,718) akademik statüye göre analiz edildiğinde yüksek anksiyete düzeyleri gösterdi (p=0,033). COVID-19 hastalarını tedavi eden uzmanların anksiyete puanları önemli ölçüde yüksek bulundu (10,906±11,585) (p=0,002). COVID-19 hastalarını tedavi eden uzmanların anksiyete puanı önemli ölçüde yüksek bulundu (11,309±11,591) (p=0,000).

Sonuç: Covid-19 pandemisi sırasında hekimler arasında ölüm korkusu ve endişesi önemli ölçüde yaygın olarak gözlendi. En yüksek oran dahiliye hekimleri arasında görüldü. Ölüm korkusu ve endişesinin hekimlerin hastaları yeterli şekilde tedavi etme ve izleme kapasitesini olumsuz etkilediği göz önüne alındığında, pandemi döneminde hekimler arasında bu endişeleri gidermeye yönelik çalışmalar yapılması zorunludur.
Geri bildirim gönder

Keywords

COVID-19 , hekimler , kaygı , ölüm korkusu , Türkiye

Ethical Statement

ETİK ONAY ALINDI

Supporting Institution

YOK

Thanks

YOK

References

• Association AP. APA Dictionary of Psychology (anxiety): American Psychological Association (APA); 2022.
• Türkili S, Aslan E, Acar ŞT, Erdoğan S, Güleryüz G, Aktürk B.E, Özaslan E. Examination of challenges, anxiety, and burnout among assistant physicians due to coronavirus outbreak. Anadolu Kliniği Tıp Bilimleri Dergisi. 2022;27(2):103-114.
• Azoulay E, De Waele J, Ferrer R, Staudinger T, Borkowska M, Povoa P, Iliopoulou K, Artigas A, Schaller SJ, Hari MS, Pellegrini M, Darmon M, Kesecioglu J, Cecconi M. Symptoms of burnout in intensive care unit specialists facing the COVID-19 outbreak. Annals of Intensive Care. 2020; 10(1), 1–8. H
• Dobson H, Malpas CB, Burrell AJ, Gurvich C, Chen L, Kulkarni J, Winton-Brown T. Burnout and psychological distress amongst Australian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Australas Psychiatry. 2021;29(1), 26–30.
• Cerit B, Odabaş G. Relation Between Coronavirus Anxiety and Death Anxiety of Nurses and Physicians Working in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit. Journal of Samsun Health Sciences.2022;7(3): 779-792
• Çiçek B, Almalı V. The Relationship Between Anxiety Self-efficacy and Psychological Well-Being during COVID-19 Pandemic Process: Comparison of Private and Public Sector Employees.2020; 15(4): 241-260.
• Çoban A, Karaman N. Hopelessness, Anxiety, and Cognitive Distortions Related to Relationships among University Students. Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and Research. 2013;2(2):78-88.
• Kaya Y, Bostan S, Düğeroğlu H, Özbilen M, Keskın H. The Effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Anxiety Levels of Internal Medicine Physicians and the Practice of Internal Medicine Clinics. Jihsam.2020; 6(12):8-13
• Kaya A, Bostan S, Dereli S, Bektaş O, Filiz M, Kılınçel O, Yenerçağ M. The Effect Of Covid-19 Pandemic On The Practices Of Cardiology Clinics And On The Anxiety Levels Of Cardiologists Turkiye Klinikleri J Cardiovasc Sci.2021;33(1):22-30
• Yılmaz A, Karakoyun DO , Isık HS, Bostan S.The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Functioning of Neurosurgery Clinics and the Anxiety Levels of Neurosurgeons in Turkey. Turk Neurosurg.2020; 30(6):944-951.
• Erdem B, Gök M, Bostan S. The evolution of the changes in the clinical course: a multicenter survey-related impression of the ophthalmologists at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. International Ophthalmology.2021; 41: 1261–1269.
• Altaş H, Bostan S.The Effect Of COVID-19 Pandemic on The Anxiety Levels of Radiology Experts And Clinical Functioning. Middle Black Sea Journal of Health Science.2021; 7(1); 49–56.
• Beck AT, Epstein N, Brown G, Steer RA. An inventory for measuring clinical anxiety: psychometric properties. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology.1988; 56(6):893.
• Ulusoy M, Sahin NH, Erkmen H. Turkish version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory: psychometric properties. Journal of cognitive psychotherapy.1998; 12(2):163.
• Yılmaz Doğru H, Özsoy AZ, Gözdemir E, Gülücü S, Demirtürk F. The evaluation of depression and anxiety in the first trimester. Medeniyet Med J.2015; 30(4):153-8. doi: 10.5222/mmj.2015.153.
• Carney CE, Moss TG, Harris AL, Edinger JD, Krystal AD. Should we be anxious when assessing anxiety using the Beck Anxiety Inventory in clinical insomnia patients? Journal of psychiatric research.2011; 45(9):1243-9.
• Bostan S, Erdem R, Ozturk Y, Kilic T, Yilmaz A.The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Turkish society. Electron J Gen Med.2020; 17 (6): em237.
• Özdin S, Bayrak Özdin Ş. Levels and predictors of anxiety, depression and health anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkish society: The importance of gender. International Journal of Social Psychiatry.2020; 66(5):504-11.
• Atkaya NÖ, Koçak MB, Oruç MA. Anxiety and Depression Levels of Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Related Factors. Akd Med J.2023; 9(3); 290-295.
• Erdur B, Ergin A, Turkcuer I, Parlak I, Ergin N, Boz B. A Study Of Depression And Anxiety Among Doctors Working İn Emergency Units İn Denizli, Turkey. Emergency Medicine Journal.2006; 23(10):759-63.
• Indacochea-Cáceda S, Torres-Malca JR, Vera-Ponce VJ, Pérez MA, De La Cruz-Vargas JA. Fear and death anxiety among Latin American doctors during the Covid-19 pandemic. Medrxiv.2021; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.12.21251445
• Lazaro-Perez C, Martınez-Lopez JA, Gomez-Gal an J, Lopez-Meneses E. Anxiety about the risk of death of their patients in health professionals in Spain: Analysis at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(16), 5938
• Kursumovic E, Lennane S, Cook TM. Deaths in healthcare workers due to COVID-19: The need for robust data and analysis. Anaesthesia.2020; 75(8), 989–992.
• Gholami M, Fawad I, Shadan S, Rowaiee R, Ghanem H, Khamis AH, Ho SB.COVID-19 and healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Infectious Diseases.2021;104, 335–346.
• Turkish Medical Association (TTB). TTB Pandemic Bulletin #18 - Deaths of Healthcare Workers in the Pandemic.2021; https://www.ttb.org.tr/userfiles/files/PB18.pdf
• Turhan EH. Death anxiety and coronavirus on the axis of death sociology. Habitus Toplum Bilim Dergisi.2021; 2(2), 85–101. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/habitus/issue/60914/889978.
• Menzies RE, Menzies RG. Death anxiety in the time of COVID-19: Theoretical explanations and clinical implications. Cognitive Behaviour Therapist.2020; 13, e19. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X20000215
• Çağlar A, Kaçer İ. Anxiety levels in patients admitted to the emergency department with myocardial infarction or COVID-19 pneumonia. Psychology, Health & Medıcıne.2021; https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2021.1876893
• Enea V, Candel OS, Zancu SA, Scrumeda A, Bărbuşelu M, Largu AM. Death anxiety and burnout in intensive care unit specialists facing the COVID-19 outbreak: The mediating role of obsession with COVID-19 and coronaphobia, Death studies.2022; 46(10); 2306-2315 .
• Sakaoğlu HH, Orbatu D, Emiroglu M, Çakır Ö. Spielberger's state and trait anxiety levels in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: The Tepecik Hospital example. Tepecik Education and Research Hospital Journal.2020; 30 (Supplementary issue): 1-9. doi:10.5222/terh.2020.56873.
• İnce A, Temiz YE, Karataş M. Examples of Qualitative Studies to Determine Levels of Faith in Türkiye: Literature Review. İhya International Journal of Islamic Studies.2024; 10/2:736-766 |
• Lai J, Ma S, Wang Y, Cai Z, Hu J, Wei N, et al.Factors Associated With Mental Health Outcomes Among Health Care Workers Exposed to Coronavirus Disease. JAMA Netw Open.2019; 3:e20397
• Erdoğan C, Doğan S, Çakmak R, Olmuscelik O, Kızılaslan D, Çiftçi B.Evaluation of Anxiety in Doctors Working in New Type 2019 COVID and Non-COVID Services. Turk J Intensive Care.2021; 19(1):87-94 DOI: 10.4274/tybd.galenos.2021.02419.
• Denton, J. A., & Wisenbaker, V. B. Jr. Death experience and death anxiety among nurses and nursing students. Nursing Research.1977; 26(1), 61–64.
• Kim K, Yong J. Spirituality, death anxiety, and burnout levels among nurses working in a cancer hospital. The Korean Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care.2013; 16(4), 264–273.
• Yazicioglu B, Oruc MA, Özdemir S. Evaluation of family physicians' anxiety during the COVID-19 process: provincial example from Turkey. BMC Psychol.2022; 10(1):313
• Ayed M, Yazdani A, Esmaelili H, Alsaleh A, Sultan A, Alamad E, Bander A, Rawdhan H. COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Effect on Resident Physicians' Mental Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kuwait. Cureus.2023; 15(1):e33606
• Frajerman A, Deflesselle E, Colle R, Corruble E, Costemale-Lacoste JF. Burnout, anxiety, insomnia and depressive symptoms among French outpatient physicians in the second wave of COVID-19: Comparison between general practitioners and specialists. Encephale.2024; 50(2):192-199.
• Appiani FJ, Rodríguez Cairoli F, Sarotto L, Yaryour C, Basile ME, Duarte JM. Prevalence of stress, burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression among physicians of a teaching hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arch Argent Pediatr.2021; 119(5):317-324. doi: 10.5546/aap.2021.eng.317.