Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical doctors in Turkey

• Turgut Karakose

  Kutahya Dumlupinar University

• Nedim Malkoc

  University of Health Sciences , University of Health Sciences

We explored the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical doctors working in hospitals assigned to treat COVID-19 patients. An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative research design was applied with a group of 204 medical doctors working within 40 different hospitals across 15 provinces of Turkey. Results reveal that medical doctors experienced various psychological problems, such as personal stress, anxiety, fear, panic attacks, depressive tendencies, and sleep disturbances, during the pandemic period. To cope with the pandemic, the medical doctors exhibited behaviors such as religious prayer, using antidepressants, undertaking different hobbies, paying attention to social distancing and hygiene rules and guidelines, and having a balanced and healthy diet. Our findings demonstrate that COVID-19 increased medical doctors’ psychological pressure and associated physical symptoms.

1. Turgut Karakose, Kutahya Dumlupinar University
   Department of Educational Administration
2. Nedim Malkoc, University of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences
   Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences

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