Differences in Coping Strategies and Help-Seeking Behaviours among Australian Junior and Senior Doctors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital medical staff (HMS) have faced significant personal, workplace, and financial disruption. Many have experienced psychosocial burden, exceeding already concerning baseline levels. This study examines the types and predictors of coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours utilised by Australian junior and senior HMS during the first year of the pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of Australian frontline healthcare workers was conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020. Data collected included demographics, personal and workplace disruptions, self-reported and validated mental health symptoms, coping strategies, and help-seeking.

Results: The 9518 participants included 1966 hospital medical staff (62.1% senior, 37.9% junior). Both groups experienced a high burden of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and burnout. Coping strategies varied by seniority, with maintaining exercise the most common strategy for both groups. Adverse mental health was associated with increased alcohol consumption. Engagement with professional support, although more frequent among junior staff, was uncommon in both groups.

Conclusions: Junior and senior staff utilised different coping and help-seeking behaviours. Despite recognition of symptoms, very few HMS engaged formal support. The varied predictors of coping and help-seeking identified may inform targeted interventions to support these cohorts in current and future crises.

Keywords: COVID-19; coping; doctors; frontline; mental health.

Figure 1

Personal and workplace predictors of coping strategies used by junior and senior medical staff. Red circles = junior, blue squares = seniors. Lines represent odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Reference categories: age (ordinal), female vs. male, Victoria vs. all other states, lives alone vs. with others, children vs. none, elderly care vs. none, worse relationships vs. neutral, better relationships vs. neutral, prior mental health diagnosis vs. none, concerns about income vs. negative response, family or friend infected with COVID-19 vs. negative response.

Figure 2

Personal and workplace predictors of seeking help from a doctor or psychologist for junior and senior medical staff. Red circle = junior, blue square = senior. Lines represent odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Reference categories: female vs. male, prior mental illness vs. none, lives alone vs. with others, Victoria vs. other states, family or friend infected with COVID-19 vs. negative response, concerns about income vs. negative response.