Resilience in Times of COVID-19 for Frontline Doctors: Addressing the Subjective Experiences of Fear, Uncertainty and a Narrative for Groundedness
https://doi.org/10.33591/sfp.46.4.u2
- Author:
Yew Seng Tan
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:The Singapore Family Physician
2020;46(4):14-18
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
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Abstract:
The COVID-19 outbreak touches the vulnerabilities of frontline doctors. The scope of their inner experiences includes fear/anxiety, uncertainty, isolation, fatigue, moral distress or outrage. Learning how to manage the inner subjective experiences can improve the doctors’ capacity to serve at the frontline. Fear, though common and multi-layered, may be masked by storylines that externalises our difficulties. A method to contain and process fear and other unsettling emotional states is RAIN: Recognise, Allow, Investigate and Nurture. To cope with uncertainty, one needs to stay open to tolerate various outcomes and remainder issues. A framework that provides a narrative for groundedness is described, which comprises the elements of faith in the medical science and our practice, due diligence that supports the faith, acting with courage and compassion, and the focus of another- or community-directed service.
