title: The occupational and psychosocial impact of SARS on academic physicians in three affected hospitals.
abstract: A cross-sectional anonymous survey was administered to all directory-listed physicians within a network of three large teaching hospitals that provided care to SARS patients in Toronto. One hundred ninety-three physicians participated, 23% of whom provided direct care to SARS patients. A significantly higher rate of psychological distress was seen among physicians providing direct care to SARS patients (45.7%) than among those not providing direct care (17.7%), and physicians providing direct care reported feeling more stigmatized. Several physicians (10.9%) reported entering the hospital despite experiencing identified SARS symptoms. The most frequent SARS concerns were about the care of non-SARS patients following suspension of nonessential services and loss of physician income.
authors.affiliation: University Health Network Women's Health Program, ML2-004c, 657 University Ave., Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ont., Canada M5G 2N2. sgrace@yorku.ca
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Grace
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hershenfield
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Donna E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010819:Physician's Role; D012307:Risk Factors; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D012918:Social Alienation; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology