Clinician Wellness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Extraordinary Times and Unusual Challenges for the Allergist/Immunologist

Abstract

The global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused sudden and dramatic societal changes. The allergy/ immunology community has quickly responded by mobilizing practice adjustments and embracing new paradigms of care to protect patients and staff from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 exposure. Social distancing is key to slowing contagion but adds to complexity of care and increases isolation and anxiety. Uncertainty exists across a new COVID-19 reality, and clinician well-being may be an underappreciated priority. Wellness incorporates mental, physical, and spiritual health to protect against burnout, which impairs both coping and caregiving abilities. Understanding the stressors that COVID-19 is placing on clinicians can assist in recognizing what is needed to return to a point of wellness. Clinicians can leverage easily accessible tools, including the Strength-Focused and Meaning-Oriented Approach to Resilience and Transformation approach, wellness apps, mindfulness, and gratitude. Realizing early warning signs of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder is important to access safe and confidential resources. Implementing wellness strategies can improve flexibility, resilience, and outlook. Historical parallels demonstrate that perseverance is as inevitable as pandemics and that we need not navigate this unprecedented time alone.

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“…Les prodromes de l'EDC sont l'insomnie, l'anxiété et les états de stress (25). Considérant la prévalence élevée des troubles dépressifs chez les soignants en dehors de tout contexte épidémique (28), il est logique d'anticiper l'augmentation de l'incidence après la pandémie et des complications associées, comme les addictions et les conduites suicidaires (20).…”

Maintaining High-Quality Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine Fellowship Programs: Part I: Innovations in Pain Fellows’ Education, Research, Applicant Selection Process, Wellness, and ACGME Implementation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Fellows with young children face the additional burden of school closures necessitating alternate childcare and education planning. Fellows with older children are tackling a nebulous landscape wherein standardized testing may have been delayed with unclear implications for college planning [23]. Working from home while balancing parental responsibilities, clinical and research activities can be overwhelming [23].…”

“…Fellows with older children are tackling a nebulous landscape wherein standardized testing may have been delayed with unclear implications for college planning [23]. Working from home while balancing parental responsibilities, clinical and research activities can be overwhelming [23]. Depressive symptoms may arise secondary to disruption in daily routines, isolation, impaired sleep patterns, loss of control, and potential negative effects on future job prospects [21].…”

“…Stigmatization and xenophobia toward Asian-Americans is being reported during COVID-19, creating feelings of abandonment and isolation [21]. In China, more than 70% of healthcare workers during this pandemic report insomnia, anxiety, and depression [23].…”

“…COVID-19 has undoubtedly increased the risk of burnout among medical providers (including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a sense of reduced personal accomplishment), already deemed a significant challenge for medical trainees prior to the current COVID-19 pandemic [23,24]. The repercussions of burnout include increased medical errors, impaired professionalism and empathy, higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and suicide [23]. It is imperative to recognize the warning signs of depression and anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse; the signs include withdrawal and social isolation, absenteeism, irritability, and agitation.…”