Doctors were advised not to go to work due to the risk of infection

Doctors were advised not to go to work due to the risk of infection

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Although doctors understand the risks associated with working while sick, many feel backed into a corner.

Doctors were advised not to go to work due to the risk of infection. The International Medical Association JAMA published in its journal the results of a study of the reasons why doctors work when sick and their consequences. The experts conducted the analysis using a mixed-methods cross-sectional anonymous survey in hospitals.

The association noted numerous reports of outbreaks that could be linked to health care workers, which could jeopardize the health of patients. Some cases of influenza, staph infection, corona virus and whooping cough have been documented as outbreaks originating from an ill health care worker.

Last year, hospitals battled overlapping seasons of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza, creating a “triple epidemic.” Both doctors and patients suffered from a lack of resources and staff. As a result, many doctors felt they had no choice but to report to work if they were physically able. However, many doctors were so sick that they had to decide when it was best to sit at home.

This year, too, the threat of an epidemic looms, and many clinics continue to experience staff shortages. There are departments where rarely anyone can replace an employee, so he goes to work even when he is sick. If necessary, doctors use their knowledge for self-medication or consult with colleagues if this is something outside their specialization.

Of those surveyed, 95% of doctors believed that working while sick puts patients at risk. Despite this belief, 83% of respondents reported working sick at least once in the previous year.

The sad reality is that sometimes healthcare workers are the last to seek medical attention. And even when doctors are fully aware of the risks, their hands are often tied at work.