| Challenges |
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“Each day is difficult. It’s like living with a constant sense of apprehension and guilt of infecting my family.”
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“I haven’t met my parents for months now. I stay separate to keep them safe. I have lost my colleague. Don’t know if I will lose them too…”
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“People have started looking at me with “disgust”! It feels as if a doctor is always a carrier unless proven otherwise…”
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| Unmet Needs |
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Flexible work policies (88%)
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Medical/Insurance benefits (70%)
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Administrative understanding (60%)
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Effective risk communication (43%)
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Sensitivity of media (82%)
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Social inclusion (90%)
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“We are already understaffed. I haven’t got a single-day leave in the last 6 months. it can’t go on like this…”
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“The wards are not sanitized regularly. If the authority doesn’t organize, how will be managed such a caseload!”
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“Doctors are not immune. We work most closely with COVID patients. The degree of our risk estimates and shift rotations are mostly chaotic… that adds to our stress…”
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“All that we need in such difficult times is some empathy. Many of my colleagues are being evicted from their apartments or looked down upon…”
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“Doctors are being portrayed in a negative shade. this needs to stop! The popular media has a huge role to play in improving our status…”
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| Processes of Resilience |
| Resilient Identity |
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“I am really thankful to my friends and family, who helped me move on, even from miles away…”
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“I have seen the sufferings, deaths and grief myself, it makes me feel I can make a difference, save lives…”
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“My duty and oath as a physician are my strengths, my hope…”
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| Resilience management |
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Collectivism (39%)
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Problem negotiation (73%)
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Dialogue with self and self-esteem (59%)
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Assumption of “sick role” (52%)
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Past stressful experiences (66%)
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“I kept writing letters to myself…that was my stress-buster.”
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“Now, I realize the importance of ICU duties and prolonged shifts. The training helps me gear up so much now…”
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“There are multiple things at stake. I try my best to organize and prioritize at the end of the day… it helps me cope…”
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“While working in COVID-wards, we have to consider ourselves “vulnerable,” “potentially” sick: this stops too many expectations.”
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“I just keep telling myself, it’s a susceptible period, not to be too hard on myself…”
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| Working through distress |
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“Indulging in my hobbies and maintaining a schedule has helped me de-stress…”
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“I felt my colleagues and co-workers understand my status best. I felt validated…”
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“Even weekly discussions with the counselor was fruitful. I felt there was an “audience” to my voice.”
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“Risk was inevitable since the pandemic started. You can’t avoid it, just try ways to minimize it…”
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“You don’t cope till you face the risk. Face it in a pragmatic way that helps in the face of such distress…”
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