Mindfulness in the Time of Pandemic

These days we often find fewer and fewer things to agree upon. Nonetheless, we can all agree that 2020 was uniformly one of the most difficult years in our lifetimes. Because of this, we all welcomed 2021 with open arms and the hope of a return to the normalcy we once took for granted. In general, everyone has faced difficulties with the pandemic. Some of us have had losses in our families. Others have suffered personally by being infected with COVID-19. And many of us have had to pivot and care for COVID-19 patients, while not neglecting the patients that are traditionally the focus of our care.

Historically, the demands of clinical practice have been balanced by the gathering of colleagues at meetings and educational events. The camaraderie and scholarly exchanges were always a welcomed “break from the routine” and a chance to reenergize both physically and mentally. However, the need for social distancing and the ever-increasing demand for care of the very sick and dying have made the demands of clinical practice more pressing. The challenge of providing care during a pandemic while worrying about contracting the disease is only magnified by the concern of bringing the disease home to our loved ones. Our gatherings have been replaced with a continuous stream of online meetings and events, and over time, online fatigue has emerged and the desire for the human interaction continues to rise. As healthcare providers we must safe-guard against the potential risks of this isolation and increased stress.

Maslach and colleagues define burnout as work-related syndrome involving emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and a sense of reduced personal accomplishment.[1] These words have never been truer and more concerning than in today’s reality. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity found that the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in COVID times was 23.2%, 22.8%, and 38.9% respectively.[2] It is imperative that we as healthcare providers be mindful of this not only in ourselves but in our colleagues as well. Mental health and wellbeing are critical areas for everyone but are often overlooked by those in the surgical arena. Maslach and Leiter[3] identified engagement as the positive antithesis of burnout and characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption in work. We should encourage one another and our respective institutions to develop support groups and to identify ways to create engagement. This will help us bridge the gap until we can be together again face to face to exchange ideas, share our accomplishments and find supportive words for our ongoing challenges. In the meantime, we should remain vigilant when we see signs of depression, stress and burnout and identify our colleagues and ourselves and seek available help.