How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Impacted Ophthalmologists

A survey study endeavored to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic of ophthalmologists’ personal and professional lives. The findings were published at American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2021.

This analysis, led by Frini A. Makadia, was an IRB-approved survey that collected responses from 113 ophthalmologists (42% male, 89% full-time, in-person practitioners).

According to the survey results, over half (58%) of respondents had at least one child under the age of 18, and 31% had a least one child under the age of five. The majority of ophthalmologists reported that the COVID pandemic had a negative impact on their practice, particularly parents working in person (P = 0.016).

Factors contributing to that negative impact of the pandemic include clinical (82%) and surgical volume (75%), reimbursement (57%), and increased responsibilities due to furloughed coworkers (28%). The study showed that younger adults, women, and those in practice for longer were more impacted. Overall, the analysis demonstrated that COVID increased stress disproportionately for women (P = 0.007) and impacted personal responsibilities for 51% of respondents; 25% believe this impacted their career.

“The ramifications on personal and professional lives continue to become apparent as we analyze these impacts approximately a year following peak onset of the pandemic,” the authors concluded.

Source: Makadia F. The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Physician. Poster 396. Published for AAO 2021; Nov. 12-15, 2021, New Orleans, LA.