The Role of the Surgeon
As a team leader, manager or senior clinician, the surgeon is expected to be at his/her best at all times. Personnel who are emotionally distressed may express fear, panic, anger, absenteeism, carelessness in protecting themselves and inadvertently expose others to avoidable risk. In this context, The British Psychological Society’s practical guidance outlines the role that is expected of a leader or manager in supporting staffs who are apprehensive or emotionally affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, the various response phases and the principles on responding well to the needs of the staff (Table 1).
In addition to the above, the surgeon is expected to provide holistic person-centred care for outpatients. In the theatre environment, they undertake several responsibilities inclusive of allocating resources optimally, mobilising staffs, managing daily issues while attempting to remain calm and composed, push their own thoughts aside, and continually make rational, crucial and critical judgments when required to do so.
This pressure is further mounted by the fear of transmitting infection to family members when they return home. Reports have emerged that many doctors have resorted to isolating themselves from their family so as to protect their loved ones.15 The pre-existing emotional stress is further aggravated by self-isolation.
Continual efforts have been made to create pathways, modify working practices especially where resources are severely constrained, as well as create guidance for the clinical management of COVID positive patients and, to adapt the current management protocols in the pandemic setting, as evidenced by the constant updates on the ENT UK website.16 However, there still remains the underlying fear, worry, panic, confusion, uncertainty, depression, grief and anxiety in many members of the surgical fraternity which have been overlooked and require equal and immediate attention.
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