key: cord-321234-2nkktokz
authors: El‐Ghazali, S.; Sheraton, T.; Ferguson, K.; Meek, T.
title: ‘Shielded’ anaesthetists and intensivists during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a reply
date: 2020-07-06
journal: Anaesthesia
DOI: 10.1111/anae.15209
sha: 
doc_id: 321234
cord_uid: 2nkktokz

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We are aware that many colleagues, because of individual risk factors, have been community shielding, workplace shielding or have been undertaking duties vastly different from their usual scope of work. We recognise that some will feel lonely, forgotten, guilty or bored. Many may be anxious about returning to work, with concerns regarding their safety, combined with the challenge of managing constantly changing guidelines. The Association has been involved in producing Vital Signs, a guide for anaesthetists seeking help and advice during the COVID crisis (https://anaesthetists.org/Portals/0/ PDFs/Guidelines%20PDFs/Vital_Signs_in_Anaesthesia2020. examining modules in the RCoA syllabus to identify any areas that need to be actively addressed (the focus is likely to be much more on confidence); identifying a specific supervisor; negotiating using a small number of supportive colleagues to work with regularly during the return to work programme; agreeing a time frame for review ahead of returning to solo working; considering using a reflective journal; and establishing a formal support structure.

There is a risk reduction framework for NHS staff (https://www.fom.ac.uk/covid-19/update-risk-reduction-fra mework-for-nhs-staff-at-risk-of-covid-19-infection), produced by an independent group of experts and supported by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine. It is a pragmatic guide to workplace and workforce assessment, and has been designed to be applicable to all groups of staff, not just those with increased vulnerability. Some occupational health departments are using a tool called COVID Age (https://prof ile.covid-age.com/calculator) to help determine individual level of risk from COVID.

We recognise that the prospect of returning to work is a significant source of anxiety. There is the worry of exposure to infection, but also the prospect of unfamiliar work schedules, where previously routine and predictability were part and parcel of every day work. This is an understandable and appropriate response. We also acknowledge that many colleagues feel guilt for their absence from their usual roles. Guilt is a perceived feeling of deserving blame for imagined or real offences or from a sense of inadequacy. Sometimes guilt is socially useful, but we hope that colleagues will agree that those who have been quite rightly shielded by a responsible healthcare system should feel no guilt for this.

We will continue to work independently and with other organisations to provide support to colleagues in times of difficulty.

Subsequent guidance on shielding doctors returning to work will emerge and we encourage colleagues to keep an eye on the joint COVID guidance website (https://icma naesthesiacovid-19.org) and the usual social media channels. 

Shielded' anaesthetists and intensivists during the COVID-19 pandemic