Implications of COVID-19 on Emergency Physicians in Trinidad: Considerations for the Future

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every facet of life. In healthcare, emergency care physicians, who are used to high-stress environments, were under insurmountable strain globally. Yet, there is a paucity of research examining emergency physicians’ experience of managing the psychological pressures during the pandemic. This chapter examines emergency physicians’ accounts of working on the frontline during the pandemic (2020–2021) and their mental health concerns in the small island developing state of Trinidad. Methods: Ten in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with emergency physicians working at the local public hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. A phenomenological research approach was used to understand the lived experience of emergency physicians working on the frontline during the pandemic, with the use of narrative thematic inquiry to analyze the data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded thematically using NVivo 12 software. Findings indicated three predominant themes of COVID-19 anxiety, other mental health challenges, and organizational support. Originality/Value: This is one of the first qualitative studies in small island developing states to examine the psychological impact of COVID-19 on emergency physicians employed at public hospitals. Recommendations: Human resources should reevaluate guidelines and procedures around medical leave, compensation, staff shortages, communication with staff, and access to mental health services.