Doctors’ Professional and Personal Reflections: A Qualitative Exploration of Physicians’ Views and Coping during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Numerous studies have examined the risks for anxiety and depression experienced by physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, qualitative studies investigating physicians’ views, and their discovered strengths, are lacking. Our research fills this gap by exploring professional and personal reflections developed by physicians from various specialties during the pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with physicians practicing in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, during November 2020–July 2021. Thematic analysis identified core themes and subthemes. Seventeen physicians, including nine males and eight females, from eleven specialties completed the interviews. The pandemic brought to the forefront life’s temporality and a new appreciation for life, work, and each other. Most physicians found strength in values, such as gratitude, solidarity, and faith in human potential, to anchor them professionally and personally. A new need for personal fulfilment and hybrid care emerged. Negative feelings of anger, fear, uncertainty, and frustration were due to overwhelming pressures, while feelings of injustice and betrayal were caused by human or system failures. The physicians’ appreciation for life and family and their faith in humanity and science were the primary coping strategies used to build adaptation and overcome negative emotions. These reflections are summarized, and implications for prevention and resilience are discussed.