Facing the COVID-19 pandemic as a resident: a before-and-after study of mental health

Residents endure psychosocial and work-related situations associated with an increased risk of developing mental health problems. Mental health is often affected during epidemics. Knowledge about the mental health state of residents before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic is scarce.

In this cohort study, demographic features, psychosocial characteristics, and mental health disorders were examined before and after one year of training. The second evaluation assessed burnout syndrome (BS) and individual experiences with the pandemic. Non-parametric tests and logistic regression were used to evaluate differences after 1 year and to analyze the relationship between mental health outcomes and the independent variables. Models were adjusted on a priori supposition of confounding variables.

A total of 49 pediatric residents were included; none were lost to follow-up. Overall, mental health disorders prevalence increased by 30.6%. The prevalence of depressive episodes and generalized anxiety disorder also increased significantly. The prevalence of BS was 57.1%. The main risk factor for developing a mental health disorder was having a family history of mental health disorders.

The increase in the prevalence of mental health disorders after 1 year during the COVID-19 pandemic was more significant than the one observed in pre-pandemic studies. Further research is needed to find strategies to protect mental health among residents, especially during health crises.