Author/Authors :
Al Ghobain, Mohammed Department of Medicine - College of Medicine - King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences - Riyadh - Saudi Arabia , Aldrees, Turki Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - College of Medicine - Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University - Alkharj - Saudi Arabia , Alenezi, Abdullah Department of Medicine - College of Medicine - King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences - Riyadh - Saudi Arabia , Alqaryan, Saleh King Abdulaziz University Hospital - Riyadh - Saudi Arabia , Aldabeeb, Dana College of Medicine - King Saud University - Riyadh - Saudi Arabia , Alotaibi, Najed College of Medicine - King Saud University - Riyadh - Saudi Arabia , Aldhabib, Abdulrahman Department of Emergency - King Khalid Hospital - Riyadh - Saudi Arabia , Alghalibi, Shaker Department of Emergency - King Fahad Medical City - Riyadh - Saudi Arabia , Alharethy, Sami Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - College of Medicine - King Saud University - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abstract :
Introduction. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks have had a considerable negative impact on health systems
in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to study the psychological impact of a Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
outbreak on emergency room resident physicians (ERRPs). Methods. We assessed the MERS-related psychological impact and
concerns of ERRPs using a self-report questionnaire. Results. The majority (91%) of the ERRPs agreed that their work put them
at risk of infection, but most (65%) did not agree that they should not be looking after patients infected with MERS. Despite
that, 54% of ERRPs reported being afraid of contracting the infection from infected patients and only 4.2% of them were willing
to change their current job. The majority of the ERRPs (85%) felt that their job would expose their families to risk of infection.
Conclusions. Our study demonstrated the considerable psychological impact of MERS outbreaks on ERRPs. The ERRPs’ concerns and the psychological impact of MERS outbreaks should be considered in greater detail by hospital policymakers.
Keywords :
Perception , Emergency Room , Middle East Respiratory Syndrome , MERS
