COVID 19-Depression and Neurosurgeons

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Public Health
• Occupational Health

Background:

• The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created unprecedented challenges for healthcare professionals globally.
• Neurosurgeons, due to the nature of their work and increased exposure risk, faced unique psychological stressors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors associated with anxiety and depression among neurosurgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To inform targeted interventions for supporting mental well-being in this high-risk group.

Main Methods:

• An international online survey was conducted among neurosurgeons over three weeks.
• Depression was assessed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20).

Main Results:

• Of 375 respondents from 52 countries, 14% screened positive for depression.
• Higher depression likelihood was linked to not receiving self-protection guidance (OR, 2.47), feeling unsafe with personal protective equipment (OR, 3.13), and family concerns about workplace safety (OR, 2.29).
• Exposure to a COVID-19-positive colleague (OR, 2.54) and feeling unsafe with PPE (OR, 2.43) remained significant predictors in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

• Modifiable risk factors for depression were identified, highlighting the impact of institutional support and safety measures.
• Recommendations emphasize ensuring neurosurgeon safety through appropriate measures to enhance confidence and reduce depression rates.