Longitudinal Web-Based Study on Psychological Outcomes Amongst General Practitioners and Psychiatrists in Croatia and Effects of Intervention in a Cohort Group

Sunčana Vlah Tomičević, Valerija Bralić Lang

Keywords: psychological outcomes, general practitioners, family medicine, psychiatrists

Background:

Doctors work in a stressful environment and have a higher prevalence of stress-related mental disorders, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The suicide rate is 2 - 4 times higher. Beside occupational factors, unexpected events like the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, bad workplace relationships, family problems, and personality type influence the result. GPs and psychiatrists are much affected by mental health problems. Since both specialties treat mentally ill patients, recognition of own mental strain and implementation of alleviating methods should be exercised but it’s often ignored.

Research questions:

To compare the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD amongst GPs and psychiatrists and which risk factors are influencing the result. To analyze if participation in Balint groups benefits their mental health.

Method:

An online questionnaire for GPs and psychiatrists with sociodemographic data, DASS-21, IES-R, Family APGAR, and risk factors (work environment and satisfaction, family life, chronic disease) will be formed and conducted 2 times throughout 2 years. The questionnaire can be filled out only once and participants will have to create a unique code to mark their answers. Amongst them, a representative cohort group of volunteers will be formed to participate in Balint groups and learn techniques of mindfulness and relaxation. After three months, the cohort will be asked to fill out the questionnaire again using their code.

Results:

Prior results showed a high prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD amongst GPs and we are expecting higher results in GPs in comparison with psychiatrists. We anticipate work satisfaction to have a great influence on the result. The intervention should lower the results in DASS-21 and IES-R.

Conclusions:

A high prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD amongst primarily GPs and also psychiatrists is influenced by a group of risk factors. Mindfulness and relaxation along with support received through Balint groups are beneficial for doctors' mental health.

Points for discussion:

Prevalence and risk factors of stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD in GPs and psychiatrists

Rising awareness of mental disorders in doctors

Efficiency of self help and effect of intervention?