Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on stress level of residents and fellows during ophthalmology training

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the mental health of residents and fellows in ophthalmology. METHODS: A questionnaire composed of 42 questions was applied to Brazilian residents and fellows in Ophthalmology. The questionnaire addressed the demographics of participants, their working conditions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). RESULTS: The study had a total of 271 participants in Ophthalmology training, from which 100 were fellows and 171 were residents. Before the pandemic, Ophthalmology residents and fellows had a higher workload (P < 0.001), and residents worked more hours than fellows (P = 0.001). During the pandemic, the workload of both residents and fellows decreased and equalized (P = 0.195). No correlation was found between the working hours during the pandemic and their stress level were observed (P = 0.760). Higher stress scores were identified in women ophthalmologists (P = 0.001) as well as in residents and fellows that had their surgical training interrupted during the pandemic (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The stress level of residents and fellows during the COVID-19 pandemic was similar, however, those that had their surgical training interrupted during the pandemic presented higher level of stress. Female physicians also presented higher level of stress compared to male physicians.