Beyond the pandemic: how Covid-19 still shapes doctors' job stress and performance

Post-COVID Doctor Stress & Performance

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between job stress and job performance among doctors and analyze whether this relationship is moderated by COVID-19.

Study Design: Cross sectional analytical study

Place and duration of study: Gujranwala Teaching Hospital and Gujranwala Medical College Teaching Hospital, conducted from 1 Nov 2024 to 31 Mar 2025.

Patients and methods: A structured online questionnaire was distributed among 212 doctors working in OPDs and Emergency departments, via google forms and personal emails. Convenience sampling was used and ethical approval was obtained (IRB.43/GMC). Validated scale developed by Tessema, M., and Soeters, J was used for measuring job performance, for job stress, scale from Parker and Decotiis and perceived threat of COVID-19 was measured using a modified version of scale from Sinclair and LoCicero. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 for descriptives, correlation and moderation effects.

Results: The mean stress score in doctors came out to be 3.48±0.82, mean job performance score 3.78±0.48 and perceived threat of COVID score, 3.13±0.65 all out of 5.00, the high stress score is at lower limit of severe stress level. Job stress showed a negative correlation with job performance and the perceived threat of COVID 19 as a moderator significantly strengthened the negative association.

Conclusion: Job stress negatively affects doctor performance, further intensified by perceived threat of COVID-19. Stress management interventions are vital to maintain healthcare performance during pandemics.