Problemas de salud mental entre dermatólogos latinoamericanos durante la pandemia de COVID-19

Introduction. A mental health survey was done in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic among Latin American dermatologists through CILAD (Colegio Ibero-Latinoamericano de Dermatología) with the participation of both specialists and residents from twenty countries. Objective. To evaluate mental health problems among Latin American dermatologists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods. This quantitative, cross-sectional comparative study took place between June and July 2020. The evaluation, made online, had two sections: the first one explored the socio-demographic variables, and the second was a filter including self-application instruments for the assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), general anxiety, health anxiety and somatic symptoms, and risk of depression. Results. The sample included a total of 554 subjects, most of them women and dermatologists. In the mental health assessment, there were differences between those dermatologists who care for COVID-19 and those who do not regarding a greater use of drugs; 21.5% of dermatologists reported being COVID-19 first-line care health personnel. The risk of having PTSD is significantly higher among them than among those who do not work with COVID-19 patients (36.8% vs. 16.6%); they have more insomnia incidence (21.8% vs. 10.8%); more risk of depression (66.6% vs. 47.6%) and greater consumption of substances (15.1% vs. 5.3%). Conclusions. Dermatologists and dermatology residents at the first line of care in the current pandemic show identifiable mental health problems; thus, mitigation measurements have to be taken about it.