Doctoring and mothering during the SARS-COV2 pandemic: characteristics of physicians-mothers during COVID-19 and their impact on mental health
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz
Abstract
Description
Introduction. During COVID-19, health workers faced increased stress accentuated by gender roles, such
as motherhood. Objective. This study analyzed the characteristics of a group of physicians-mothers, its impact on mental health, and their experiences during this pandemic. Method. Mixed methods study using
an online survey to investigate sociodemographic, family, emotional, and professional aspects, in addition
to the personal experience of 537 doctors-mothers during the first stage of COVID-19. Results. Due to the
pandemic, most of the participants changed their daily activities. The hours dedicated to professional work
(HM = 5.08, p < .0001), childcare (HM = 3.74, p < .0001), and food planning and preparation (HM = -6.96, p
< .0001) were increased, while the hours dedicated to physical exercise (MH = 8.67, p < .0001) and personal
care (MH = 9.54, p < .0001) decreased. It has been pointed out that this pandemic has generated a lack of
well-defined spaces, resulting in multitasking. Fear and guilt were two common words in the speeches of the
participants. Fear of getting sick and dying, or fear of infecting their families. Guilt at feeling that they did not
play a good role either as doctors or as mothers. Most common psychological symptoms were insomnia,
sadness or discouragement, and constant worry or tension. Discussion and conclusion. The pandemic
evidenced and exacerbated both the disparities faced by these female doctors in the medical field, as well as
the inequity in housework and home-care. The loss of boundaries between the public and the private showed
the mothers-doctor struggling to reconcile their personal and professional life with substantial repercussions
for their mental health.