Mental health among otolaryngology resident and attending physicians during the COVID‐19 pandemic: National study

Background Otolaryngologists are among the highest risk for COVID‐19 exposure. Methods This is a cross‐sectional, survey‐based, national study evaluating academic otolaryngologists. Burnout, anxiety, distress, and depression were assessed by the single‐item Mini‐Z Burnout Assessment, 7‐item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, 15‐item Impact of Event Scale, and 2‐item Patient Health Questionnaire, respectively. Results A total of 349 physicians completed the survey. Of them, 165 (47.3%) were residents and 212 (60.7%) were males. Anxiety, distress, burnout, and depression were reported in 167 (47.9%), 210 (60.2%), 76 (21.8%), and 37 (10.6%) physicians, respectively. Attendings had decreased burnout relative to residents (odds ratio [OR] 0.28, confidence interval [CI] [0.11‐0.68]; P = .005). Females had increased burnout (OR 1.93, CI [1.12.‐3.32]; P = .018), anxiety (OR 2.53, CI [1.59‐4.02]; P