Association Between Proportion of Workday Treating COVID-19 and Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD Outcomes in US Physicians

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between time spent treating patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and levels of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in US physicians. METHODS: The authors conducted an anonymous online survey of US physicians. Linear regression was used to test the association between proportion of day treating COVID-19 and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. RESULTS: In a sample of 1724 US physicians, proportion of day treating COVID-19 was positively and significantly associated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD scores (P < 0.001 for each). CONCLUSIONS: Mental health resources should be provided to physicians who treat COVID-19 because the proportion of day treating COVID-19 is associated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD outcomes.