Attitude of Medical Practioners and Their Families Toward Handling of Suspected Covid-19 Patients in Mysore, India

Abstract

BACKGROUND The novel corona virus 2019 has caused a great hue and cry, especially as the whole world has been caught unawares. We wanted to study the attitude of medical practitioners and their families toward the current situation and on their practice. METHODS We conducted an observational, cross sectional study in the form of an online survey with a questionnaire. All practitioners willing to participate in the study were included. A total of 567 responses were obtained, of which 536 were eligible to be included. RESULTS From the data analysed, 75 % felt that it was in the line of duty to handle Covid suspects. However, 84.5 % felt that they were putting self and their families at risk by doing so, and 74.4 % did not want to handle Covid suspects, because they did not belong to their speciality. The primary concern of 90 % of the respondents was the risk of exposure and quarantine. Occasional anxiety while going to work was seen in 53.7 % of the respondents. On surveying the attitude of family members, we found that 87.3 % of the parents and spouses feared for their safety, but at the same time felt they were doing their duty. While studying the attitude of children, 57.8 % of them felt that their parents were doing a noble job. CONCLUSIONS The majority of practitioners are not trained to handle the current crisis. Fear and anxiety because of lack of knowledge, poor attitude and lack of guidelines may lead to increased stress levels and reluctance to handle suspect Covid-19 patients. KEY WORDS Covid 19, Stress, Attitude of Health Workers