Social Stressors and Isolation Have Biggest Effect on Resident Wellness During a Pandemic

Bella, S.; Walsh, B.; Flannery, A.; Fiesseler, F.; Walsh, K.

Background: Emergency physicians are already known to be high-risk for depression and burnout. In all likelihood the COVID-19 pandemic has added to this risk. Study Objectives: We sought to identify the primary stressors for EM residents during this pandemic and determine which factors and interventions have helped most to improve their wellness. Methods: The setting was an EM residency program in the state with the highest per-capita deaths from COVID-19. All EM residents were surveyed eight months into the pandemic using Google Forms. Surveys were anonymous to promote honesty. Residents were asked about to identify the three factors that had the greatest negative impact on their wellness. They were also asked to identify the three features that did most to improve wellness. Demographic information was collected. Results: 23 of 27 residents (85%) completed the survey. 91% (95% CI 80-100) said the negative impact of the pandemic affects them more socially than professionally. The factors identified most commonly contributing negatively to a resident’s wellness were “decreased socialization/isolation” (74%) and “concerns for family safety” (70%). “Changing hospital protocols” (35%), “feeling under-appreciated at work” (30%), and “public not doing enough to stop the spread” (30%) were also identified frequently as having a negative effect. “Concerns for my own safety” was only identified by 17% of residents as being a top-three issue. The features most commonly identified as helping wellness were “ability to socialize in small groups” (65%), “team mentality” (57%) and “free food” (44%). Conclusion: Overwhelmingly, residents cite the social impact of the pandemic as having a more negative effect on their wellness than work did. Concerns for their own safety are not identified frequently as having a significant impact. Interventions that are social and decrease the sense of isolation appear to be especially important in improving wellness.