Social and Occupational Experiences and Mental Health Effects of Quarantine Among Physicians in India During COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aims: Medical professionals faced social, occupational, and financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study described these experiences and the perceived effect of quarantine on mental health among physicians in India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional online survey included 558 registered medical practitioners recruited purposively between February and August 2022. A study-specific questionnaire assessed social, occupational and financial experiences and asked, “Did the quarantine period affect your mental health status?” This binary item did not establish the direction or severity of the effect. Results: Overall, 210 of 558 respondents (37.6%) answered yes to the question about a mental health effect of quarantine. The question did not establish whether the effect was adverse or its severity. A drastic reduction in income was reported by 267 participants (47.8%), no change in financial health by 231 (41.4%), and cessation of practice by 60 (10.8%). New insurance purchase for the respondent or a family member was reported by 174 of 558 respondents (31.2%); this is not a percentage of the 162 respondents without personal insurance before the pandemic. Conclusions: The reported social, occupational, and financial experiences support consideration of confidential staff support, safe reporting of public incidents and assistance with work disruption. These are practical priorities for further evaluation, not interventions tested by this survey. The mental health item does not establish deterioration or clinical need.