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. 2022 May 23;23(5):327-335.
doi: 10.1002/jgf2.560. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Work-related stress and coping methods of internists and primary care physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A mixed-method study

Kiyoshi Shikino  1 , Akira Kuriyama  2 , Michito Sadohara  3 , Takahiro Matsuo  4 , Kazuya Nagasaki  5 , Yoshito Nishimura  6 , Saori Nonaka  7 , Masashi Izumiya  8 , Mitsuru Moriya  9 , Yoichi Ohtake  10 , Tetsuya Makiishi  11
Affiliations

Work-related stress and coping methods of internists and primary care physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A mixed-method study

Kiyoshi Shikino et al. J Gen Fam Med. .

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of health care workers. This study aimed to investigate the stress factors that cause burnout in Japanese physicians and their coping methods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a sequential explanatory mixed-method study to investigate the psychological responses of physicians in the early stages of the pandemic. A cross-sectional, web-based, anonymous survey was conducted among members of the American College of Physicians Japan Chapter to quantitatively investigate the stress factors and prevalence of burnout. An open-ended questionnaire with questions about stress factors and coping methods was additionally administered. The qualitative data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: Among the 1173 physicians surveyed, 214 (18.2%) responded. Among the participants, 107 (50.0%) responded "yes" to the question "I feel or have felt very stressed at work during the COVID-19 pandemic," and 68 (31.8%) reported burnout symptoms. Those who reported feeling stress (117 respondents) were asked to select 12 items of the stress factors related to COVID-19. The most significant stress factor related to COVID-19 was "Perceived risk of spreading COVID-19 to family members" (n = 47). Content analysis identified 12 categories for the stress factors and 7 for stress-coping methods corresponding to COVID-19 (Cohen's kappa = 0.84 and 0.95, respectively).

Conclusion: Several distinct stressors existed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which might be related to burnout among physicians. Practicing stress-coping strategies, as identified in the present study, may help reduce work-related stress and prevent burnout.

Keywords: COVID‐19; burnout; mixed method; stress coping; stress factor.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have stated explicitly that there are no conflicts of interest in connection with this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Respondents who reported feeling stress related to COVID‐19 were asked to select 12 related stress factors with the most common response being “Perceived risk of spreading COVID‐19 to family members” (n = 47)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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