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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