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Research

Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Singaporean GPs: a cross-sectional study

Alvin Lum, Yen-Li Goh, Kai Sheng Wong, Junie Seah, Gina Teo, Jun Qiang Ng, Edimansyah Abdin, Margaret Mary Hendricks, Josephine Tham, Wang Nan and Daniel Fung
BJGP Open 2021; 5 (4): BJGPO.2021.0072. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0072
Alvin Lum
1Deputy Director, Family Physician, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
MBBS, GDMH
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  • For correspondence: alvin_lum@imh.com.sg
Yen-Li Goh
2Director, Senior Consultant, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
MBBS, MMed (Psych)
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Kai Sheng Wong
3Executive, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
BSc (Hons)
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  • ORCID record for Kai Sheng Wong
Junie Seah
4Senior Case Manager, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
BPsych (Hons)
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Gina Teo
5Senior Executive, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
BA
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Jun Qiang Ng
3Executive, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
BSc
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Edimansyah Abdin
6Principal Biostatistician, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
PhD
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Margaret Mary Hendricks
7Senior Principal Case Manager, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
BHSc (Nursing), Adv Dip Adm Mgt
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Josephine Tham
4Senior Case Manager, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
BHSc (Nursing), MHSc (Education)
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Wang Nan
8Medical Officer, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
MBBS, MSc (Psych)
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Daniel Fung
9Chief Executive Officer, Senior Consultant, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
MBBS, MMed (Psych)
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Abstract

Background COVID-19 has stressed healthcare systems and workers worldwide. GPs, as first points of contact between suspected cases and the healthcare system, have assumed frontline roles in this crisis. While the prevalence of mental health problems and illnesses arising in healthcare workers (HCWs) from tertiary care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic is well-examined,1 the impact on GPs remains understudied.

Aim To describe the prevalence and predictors of anxiety, burnout, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among GPs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design & setting Survey of GPs operating in Singapore primary care clinics.

Method GPs completed a survey that comprised of four validated psychometric instruments. Open-ended questions asked about responders’ challenges and their envisaged support. Data were analysed with multiple logistic regression with demographic data as covariates; concepts of grounded theory were used to analyse the qualitative responses.

Results A total of 257 GPs participated. Fifty-five (21.4%) met the scales’ criteria for anxiety, 211 (82.1%) for burnout, 68 (26.6%) for depression, and 23 (8.9%) for PTSD. Multivariate regression analysis showed working in a public primary care setting was associated with anxiety and depression. Qualitative analyses uncovered possible stressors: changes to clinical and operational practices; increased workloads; and financial difficulties.

Conclusion Mental health issues were found to be present in Singaporean GPs during the pandemic. Prevalence of anxiety, burnout, and depression were found to be higher than those reported pre-COVID-19. The findings also provide determinants of the issues that serve as possible foci for targeted interventions.

  • COVID-19
  • mental health
  • general practitioners
  • primary health care
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • burnout, psychological
  • stress disorders, post-traumatic
  • cross-sectional studies
  • Received April 30, 2021.
  • Accepted June 16, 2021.
  • Copyright © 2021, The Authors

This article is Open Access: CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Singaporean GPs: a cross-sectional study
Alvin Lum, Yen-Li Goh, Kai Sheng Wong, Junie Seah, Gina Teo, Jun Qiang Ng, Edimansyah Abdin, Margaret Mary Hendricks, Josephine Tham, Wang Nan, Daniel Fung
BJGP Open 2021; 5 (4): BJGPO.2021.0072. DOI: 10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0072

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Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Singaporean GPs: a cross-sectional study
Alvin Lum, Yen-Li Goh, Kai Sheng Wong, Junie Seah, Gina Teo, Jun Qiang Ng, Edimansyah Abdin, Margaret Mary Hendricks, Josephine Tham, Wang Nan, Daniel Fung
BJGP Open 2021; 5 (4): BJGPO.2021.0072. DOI: 10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0072
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Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Mental health
  • general practitioners
  • Primary health care
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • burnout, psychological
  • stress disorders, post-traumatic
  • cross-sectional studies

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