Emotional states of family physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Coronavirus has caused a worldwide pandemic. During the pandemic, family physicians worked in all areas of the healthcare system. The present study aimed to reveal the emotional states of family physicians facing increased workload under pandemic conditions. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted online between May and July 2020. A total of 391 family physicians who were actively involved in the pandemic were included in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and changes in their lives during the pandemic were questioned. Participants' depression, anxiety and stress were evaluated with the DASS-21 scale. Results: Of the 391 people participating in the study, 43.5% experienced depression, 61.6% experienced anxiety, and 42.7% experienced stress. Our participants most frequently reported feeling stressed, cautious, and insecure. Male participants experienced significantly more depression, anxiety, and stress. 10% of participants were infected with coronavirus. Family physicians working in pandemic polyclinics experienced significantly more stress. Participants who received COVID-19 training experienced significantly more anxiety, and participants who worked in the emergency department experienced significantly more depression. Conclusion: The current study showed that the study population actively engaged in the pandemic was exposed to depression, anxiety and stress.