Fighting from the COVID-19 Frontline: A Junior Doctor’s Perspective on Fear, Duty and Calling

Rasappan, K; Oh, JYL

As the COVID-19 pandemic ravages the whole world, the frontline clinicians are tirelessly fighting to contain and manage the disastrous effects of the virus from their communities. Stress, despair, fear, physical and psychological burn out, decreased work out put and lowered morale are some side effects this endless battle has had on the frontline healthcare worker. Although there have been many accounts of surgeons working in the frontline, there have only been few reflections on this ongoing battle from the junior clinician’s point of view. In this article, we feature the perspectives of young residents from the orthopaedic unit at the epicenter of the COVID-19 fight in Singapore. We highlight the thoughts, fears, emotions, morale, motivating factors and reflections of junior clinicians while they work at frontlines. Fear in a dangerous new environment and amidst uncertainty is natural. However, a doctor’s call of duty goes far above fear.