Abstract :
Background: To study the impact of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on the attitude and
practice of vaccination, mental health and training of the ophthalmology residents doing COVID duties
in Gujarat. Materials and methods: In this prospective study, online survey (Google Forms) was
conducted during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic from May 13 to May 17 2021 amongst the
ophthalmology residents doing COVID duties in Gujarat. It was designed to understand their attitudes
and practices towards COVID-19 vaccination, their mental health using the Patient Health Questionnaire
(PHQ-9) and their perceived impact of the second wave of the pandemic on their ophthalmology
training. Results: 148 residents responded to the survey. Mean age was 25.86 ± 1.4years and 73
(49.32%) were males. 112/148 (75.67%) had been vaccinated against COVID-19. The mean PHQ-9
score was 10.61 ± 4.5 (range of 1 to 24).130(87.83%) participants had some degree of depression.
Depression was significantly more in students from government medical colleges (p=0.013). Mean
duration of covid duty performed was 26.54 ± 17.63 days. 83/101 (82.18%) residents who had done
COVID duties during both waves of the pandemic, found the second wave more stressful. 109/148
(73.65%) residents found COVID duties during the second wave had hampered their training in
ophthalmology. Conclusion: With the constant threat of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an accessible
psychological support system and effective e-learning process amongst the ophthalmology trainees,
thereby boosting their self-confidence should be encouraged.
Keyword :
second wave, ophthalmology residents, vaccination, mental health, training, COVID 19