COVID-19: Redeployment through the eyes of an ophthalmologist

Editor – The COVID-19 outbreak has strained healthcare systems and resources across the world.¹ Strategies to reinforce frontline staff led to the redeployment of sub-specialty doctors.² Among the redeployed ophthalmologists, there was much anxiety due to publicised reports of healthcare professionals being hospitalised.^3,4 This, coupled with the prospect of being outside the realm of the eye clinic, was indeed a daunting one especially for those who had not worked on medical wards for over 10 years.

My redeployment is best summarised by a single snapshot of the monumental daily effort of the multidisciplinary team on the ward. Physiotherapists, occupational staff and nurses were thinly spread between mobilising patients, organising home support to help increase hospital capacity and keeping up with regular drug dispensing duties. Medical students were utilised on the wards as a vital extra pair of hands. Senior doctors led by example, examining patients by their bedside and astutely investigating for co-pathologies. Added to this were the frequent cameos of other specialties who promptly reviewed patients, epitomising the comradery that had brought the hospital together as one singular team.

How did I fit into this team? As an ophthalmologist, I reviewed adult and paediatric patients on the wards, ambulatory care and intensive care unit, and used this opportunity to teach junior doctors and consultants alike about ophthalmology by the bedside. My redeployed role also ranged from completing ward jobs to phoning patient families. This often meant talking to distraught family members about patients dying and relaying messages of support. Being the emotional bridge between families and patients was toilsome and often left feelings of helplessness.

COVID-19 has raised many questions on the wider socio-political preparedness, but it was also a time for individual healthcare professionals to reflect and improve. I re-evaluated my consultation style and made a conscientious effort to focus more on a patient-centred approach, even during those busy casualty clinics, and included family members in the consultations. Finally, witnessing the resilience, flexibility, bravery and altruistic behaviour of my colleagues reminded me of how proud I should be to be a healthcare professional and work in the NHS.