Introduction:
The mental health of healthcare professionals is an often-neglected
subject, despite evidence to suggest that poor mental health has
negative impacts not only on personal wellbeing but also reduced
productivity, increase in sick leave, increased likelihood of human
errors and lower patient satisfaction.11Anagnostopoulos F,
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To date, there have been over 3.5 million cases of confirmed COVID-19
infection, with almost 250,000 deaths66Johns Hopkins Coronavirus
Resource Center. (2020). Retrieved 4 May 2020, from
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu. As a result, COVID-19 pandemic has
applied huge pressure on healthcare systems and workers. Obstetricians
and Gynaecologists have had to manage pregnant patients with this novel
condition with only a limited evidence-base. Rapidly changing protocols
and guidelines related to COVID-19 management, staffing levels and shift
patterns have added an additional dimension to these pressures. On top
of that, healthcare workers are in the fear of acquiring the infection
themselves and spreading this further to their loved ones; some doctors
even have had to isolate from their families because of this.
It is therefore important to ascertain the impact of these stressors on
the mental health of doctors within the speciality and to identify the
contributory factors. This understanding may help to support healthcare
staff effectively, minimising the negative impact on mental health and
improve clinical performance with a subsequent improvement in patient
outcomes and satisfaction during future COVID-19 peaks.