Burnout or anxiety?! A medical trial regarding resident doctors in a first line University Hospital during COVID 19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been reported as a worldwide emergency. Due to the extensiveness of spread and death, it has been declared as a pandemic. OBJECTIVES: To highlight how COVID-19 pandemic psycho-emotional affects the medical staff of a frontline University Hospital in the “battle” with new coronavirus. METHODS: We employed a cross-sectional survey of 71 resident doctors from a frontline Hospital after a one-year pandemic and analyzed the prevalence and associated factors with work-related psychological distress among our study group. RESULTS: Out of the hospital resident doctors, 71 participated and completed the questionnaire, offering an overall response rate of 100%. The majority of participants were women (86% - 61). The average age was 29 years. Most respondents were unmarried. A total of 67% of participants were non-smokers, 5% stated that they occasionally consumed alcohol, none of them used drugs. As a result of the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data, aspects related to anxiety (21.12% - 15), exhaustion (15.49% - 11), and depression (11.26% - 8) are highlighted. In our study, no people were identified who would reach extreme exhaustion in the work process, due to good resilience and due to a well thought out program of work and rest during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The psychological pressure at work, as well as the one felt after limiting and restricting mobility for shorter or longer periods, had an impact on the psycho-emotional state of health care workers, requiring further psychological reassessments and psychological support. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.