An Assessment of Anxiety About the Viral Epidemic and Work-Related Stress in Family Physicians in Turkey: How does COVID-19 Vaccination Affect Anxiety and Stress?

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the extent of family physicians’ anxiety about the viral epidemic and work-related stress associated with the viral epidemic as well as examining the effects of COVID-19 vaccination on such situations. Methods: The data collection forms, including SAVE-9 scale in order to assessand examine the extent of anxiety and stress, prepared for this cross-sectional study were converted into an online questionnaire form and sent to the physicians working as family physicians in different provinces of Turkey between December 2020 - March 2021 via e-mails and communication groups. The responses of 500 family physicians, who were accessible through this method and volunteered to participate in the study, were recorded to be analysed. Results: Of all the 500 family physicians in this study, 40.6% of them were found to be in a state of anxiety about the viral epidemic. While there was a significant decline in the scores of anxiety about the viral epidemic in the subgroup after vaccination, there was no statistically significant change in work-related stress scores. Conclusion: Family physicians have been suffering anxiety due to the pandemic. The vaccination has a positive impact on anxiety.