Perceived stress among doctors working in a dedicated COVID-19 hospital in North India

Objectives: The present study was aimed to assess the level of perceived stress among doctors working in COVID-19 ward in a tertiary care medical college and hospital of North India and to find the association of stress with time spent in ward, age, and designation of the doctors. Material and Methods: It was a cross-sectional, Google-based survey conducted in October and November 2020. The form was circulated and recorded the sociodemographic data, time spent in the COVID-19 ward, etc. The perceived stress scale (PSS) was used to assess the level of stress. Appropriate statistical analysis was used and all ethical considerations were followed. Results: Mean PSS score of the sample was 22.22 ± 7.13. Twenty-five (10%) doctors reported low stress (mean PSS score 0–13). Moderate (mean PSS score 14-26) and high stress (mean PSS score >26) were found among 156 (62.4%) and 69 (27.6%) doctors, respectively. Perceived stress showed significant negative correlation with age and significant positive correlation with hours spent in COVID ward in a week. Senior residents and junior residents had significantly higher perceived stress than faculty (P - 0.001**). Nearly 50% of doctors (fairly often or very often) felt nervous and stressed, angered because they felt out of control, unable to control important things in their lives, and have been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly. About 40% felt (fairly often or very often) that they could not cope with all the things they had to do. Nearly one-third of doctors felt (fairly or very often) that difficulties were piling up so high that they could not overcome them. Conclusion: Doctors working in COVID-19 wards perceive considerable stress. Stress management should be an integral part of the curriculum of doctors so that they can serve the humanity efficiently and effectively during the pandemic and in future.