Senior pediatrician Dr Andy Lovett told The Feed he’s seen an increase in burnout and stress within his colleagues over the course of the pandemic.
“Everyone is anxious and exhausted from being in a heightened state of awareness for the last 18 months, both at work and at home,” he said.
“We rely heavily on junior doctors from overseas and we haven't been able to get them in for a long time so local doctors are picking up the extra hours and burning out.”
He told The Feed that he treats children who have COVID, and while he’s been vaccinated, his children haven't, so he’s living separately from them for the indefinite future.
Dr Andy Lovett Source: Supplied
“We’re finding ourselves more isolated, and worried that because of our work we could bring COVID to our loved ones,” he told The Feed.
“As doctors we want to provide the best care to our patients, but the pandemic has forced us to change the way we treat people by doing consultations over the phone or video chat and that impacts the quality of care we can provide.”
Dr Patrick Johnson is the medical director of the Victorian doctors health program, a mental health and well-being advisory service run by doctors specifically for .
Dr Johnson, who is also a psychiatrist, told The Feed that calls to the service are heading towards a 50 per cent increase. He said changes to the way doctors deliver care during the pandemic has been a big factor impacting their mental health.
“Doctors are having to wear a lot of PPE which feels odd and separates them from their patients and as doctors we like to be close to our patients,” he said.
Dr Patrick Johnson Source: Supplied
“The pandemic has changed the atmosphere around medical services and put sustained pressure on it as there is no part of the system that is isolated from the effects of the pandemic.”
Dr Johnson said these issues are exacerbated in rural and regional communities, where medical resources are already stretched.
On September 13, Victoria recorded 473 cases of COVID infections but is set to reach its first vaccination target of 70 per cent double dose in mid-november and 80 per cent in early December. Nationally the vaccination rate is currently sitting just below 42 per cent.
Dr Karen Price runs a GP clinic in Melbourne, she’s seen colleagues become weary over the last 18 months.
“I’ve had staff who are crying at work and wanting to quit because of the sustained pressure of the pandemic,” she said.
Dr Karen Price Source: Supplied
Dr Price told The Feed that doctors feel a strong sense of responsibility for their patients and when clinics have to temporarily shut after becoming an exposure site it impacts their mental wellbeing
“We share the pain of our patients and so when we can’t see them in person and help them out it weighs heavily on us, there is a lot of emotional labour,” she told The Feed.
“Then add into the mix a destabilised domestic life with trying to home school children or dealing with a ‘partner's employment insecurity, it all adds to the stress.”
If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis, please call police and ambulance on 000.
For further help, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
