Study suggests ways to improve doctors' wellbeing after 'overwhelming negative impact' of pandemic

Five key recommendations for improving doctors’ wellbeing after the 'overwhelming negative impact' of the Covid-19 pandemic have been outlined in a new study from Aberdeen University.

Doctors's wellbeing has been severely impacted by the pandemic.

The suggestions include dedicated rest and relaxation areas for staff, informal support from trained professionals, and an app to help users track how they feel throughout the day.

The suggestions were welcomed by the union BMA Scotland, who warned the study raises “serious concerns” about the impact of the pandemic on doctors.

Dr Lewis Morrison, Chair of BMA Scotland, said he was particularly concerned that some of the interventions are not already in place universally – including dedicated rest and recuperation areas and support from healthcare professionals.

The study makes five key recommendations: rest and relaxation spaces for staff, encouragement to use the NHS National Wellbeing Hub advice website, raising awareness of the experience of GPs during the pandemic, in-person support from trained healthcare professionals, and use of the ‘How Was Your Day’ app, which staff can use to track how they feel through the day.

"This report flags some serious concerns about the impact the last year has had on doctor wellbeing; which mirrors everything our surveys and feedback direct from members tell us,” said Dr Morrison.

"It is an in-depth piece of work which tells us many staff are experiencing uncertainty about the future and have flagged feeling exhausted, stressed and anxious. Particularly worrying is the suggestion that organisations are frequently failing to display to staff, especially senior staff, how much they are valued.

“Examples given, such as the removal of some Rest & Recuperation (R&R) spaces, reduced access to informal psychological support, and inconsistent communications from senior managers are all issues that must be addressed as the report itself recommends.”

In collaboration with other universities across the country the team, led by Dr Kim Walker of Aberdeen University, interviewed and collected diaries from 100 doctors across all 14 regional health boards, which informed the suggestions.

Gill Aitken, co-investigator at Edinburgh University Medical School, said the research “has addressed the lack of a robust evidence base in this area”.

Dr Walker said: “It is extremely important to give the workforce a voice, listen to what they are telling us and, fundamentally take action to address their concerns.

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