Purpose: To determine the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on OBGYN resident mental-health and wellness.
Background: COVID-19 has forced healthcare providers to reconsider
virtually every component of their daily practice. Medical trainees have been
particularly impacted; however, limited studies exist examining the consequences
of COVID-19 on OBGYN residents’ mental-health and well-being.
Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted
between February 2022 and May 2022. An anonymous survey was created and
distributed to OBGYN residents across the United States. The survey queried
residents about personal attitudes, the psychological effect of the pandemic on
well-being, and the resources provided by residency programs to combat
potential burnout.
Results: 133 OBGYN residents completed the survey. All respondents
were vaccinated and trained at programs represented by each American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) district. 57% of residents reported that
the pandemic adversely impacted their mental health and 44 (33%) believed the
pandemic had interfered with their ability to perform at work. 68 (51%) were
confident that residency leadership had supported wellness and mental-health
education; Nonetheless, 31 (23%) residents experienced suicidal thoughts or
attempted self-harm, and only 28 (21%) of residents utilized mental-health
resources.
Discussions: COVID-19 has had a significant impact on OBGYN resident mental-health with many residents not benefiting from mental-health resources. Further study is necessary to assess how residency leadership can optimally support OBGYN resident well-being through the promotion of resident wellness and the provision of mental-health resources.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2023, Student, Resident, Faculty, Residency Director, Residency Coordinator, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, Practice-Based Learning & Improvement, GME, UME, Quality & Safety, Public Health,
