Differences in the Long-term Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Professional Quality of Life of Resident and Specialist Physicians

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic created a challenging situation for healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide. We aimed to compare the mental health and professional quality of life of residents and specialist physicians in a cohort of Italian HCWs caring for patients with COVID-19 about two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Between November 2021 and November 2022, an online survey investigating the emotional states of depression, anxiety, stress, compassion satisfaction, and compassion fatigue was administered to HCWs (N=78) at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that from 5 to 20% of our HCWs still showed the effects of the adverse psychological impact of the pandemic, and more than half experienced medium levels of compassion fatigue and a medium level of compassion satisfaction. Our results also show that those with fewer years of clinical practice might be at greater risk of burnout (p=0.021), anxiety, and stress symptoms (both p=0.027). In addition, they might develop a lower level of compassion satisfaction (p=0.018). Moreover, the factors that potentially contribute to poor mental health, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction differ between residents and specialist physicians. CONCLUSIONS: This overview presents one of the first pictures of the long-term effects of the pandemic on the mental health and professional quality of life of an Italian sample of HCWs. Moreover, it also helps identify professionals who most need support and emphasizes the importance of improving these individuals’ psychological and professional well-being, especially during a pandemic-like crisis with long-lasting effects.