O-44 An analysis of the prevalence of depression among medical staff at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC): a cross-sectional study
Author(s):
J Ramah, J Stewart, N Sukdeo, M Collins, S David
Year of Presentation:
2026
Objective: The objectives of this study were to estimate the
prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical staff at
GPHC; describe demographic and occupational character istics of medical staff and examine their relationship with
depressive symptoms. Additionally, the study evaluated the
impact of depressive symptoms on work performance and
patient care; explored coping mechanisms used by medical staff; and assessed awareness of available institutional
mental health support systems.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among medical staff at GPHC between August and October 2025. Using stratified random sampling, 323 participants were recruited from various professional categories. Data were collected through a structured, anonymous questionnaire that included demographic and occupational information, workplace stressors, coping strategies, and depressive symptoms measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Clinically significant depressive symptoms was defined as a PHQ-9 score ≥10. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.
Results: The prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptions among participants was 33.4%. Mild depressive symptoms were reported by 39.6% of participants, while 33.5% experienced moderate to severe depressive symptoms. The highest prevalence was observed among residents (43.1%), followed by medical interns (36.7%), and nurses (30.8%). Significant associations were identified between depressive symptoms and workplace factors such as uncompensated on-call duties (p=0.002), heavy workload, and burnout. Participants experiencing depressive symptoms were significantly more likely to report impaired work performance and strained professional relationships (p<0.001). Additionally, over 60% of respondents were unaware of available mental health support services within the institution.
Conclusion: Depressive symptoms affects a substantial proportion of medical staff at GPHC, particularly residents, interns, and nurses. Workplace stressors, including uncompensated on-call duties, contribute to this burden and negatively impact professional functioning. Improved awareness and accessibility of institutional mental health support services along with system-level interventions are urgently needed to promote healthcare workers’ wellbeing and maintain quality patient care