Hospital trainees' worries, perceived sufficiency of information and reported psychological health during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has been unsurpassed in clinical severity or infectivity since the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic and continues to impact the world During the A/H1N1 pandemic, healthcare workers presented concerns regarding their own and their families' health, as well as high levels of psychological distress We aim to assess hospital trainees' concerns, perceived sufficiency of information, behaviour and reported psychological health during the COVID-19 pandemic DESIGN: Single 39-point questionnaire SETTING: A large NHS foundation trust in London PARTICIPANTS: 204 hospital trainee doctors RESULTS: 204 trainees participated, of whom 91 7% (n=187) looked after COVID-19 patients 91 6% (n=164) were worried about COVID-19;the most frequent concern was that of family and friends dying from COVID-19 (74 6%, n=126) 22 2% (n=36) reported being infected with COVID-19 6 8% (n=11) of trainees considered avoiding going to work Perceived sufficiency of information about COVID-19 was moderately high 25 9% (n=42) reported social distancing at work compared with 94 4% (n=152) outside work 98 2% (n=159) reported using PPE and 24 7% (n=40) were confident the provided PPE protected them 41 9% (n=67) reported their psychological health had been adversely affected 95 6% (n=153) supported provision of psychological support services and 62 5% (n=100) stated they would consider using them CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of hospital trainees expressed worries about COVID-19, above all with regards to the wellbeing of their loved ones over their own Confidence in sufficiency of provided information was high and in utilised infection control measures low A larger proportion of trainees reported psychological as compared with physical health concerns, with a smaller proportion confirming having been infected with COVID-19 although most perceived their risk of infection as high Seeking solutions to support hospital trainees in their duties and their wellbeing with their input would help to empower them and improve their health and morale while working during pandemics