PERSPECTIVAS
Algarve Médico, 2021; 15 (5): 52 – 53
PERSPECTIVES
Experiência médica portuguesa vs a internacional nos inícios do covid-19
Portugal vs Internacional MD Experiences in Covid-19 first fase Gabriela Valadas1 1
. Serviço de Cirurgia II - Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve
mgvaladas@gmail.com
Medscape is a website with contents that
It is possible to verify that, broadly
substantial. In the countries where this
provides me with relevant information
speaking, in this survey there is a global
question was asked, small percentages
for my clinical practice. Their website is
answer that does not vary extremely
of physicians saw their income increase:
a leading online global destination for
in amplitude.
United States, 3%; Germany, 4%; Portugal,
physicians and healthcare professionals
In all eight countries surveyed, a
9%; Brazil, 14%; France, 16%; Mexico, 17%;
worldwide, offering the latest medical
noteworthy proportion of physicians
Spain, 20%.
either sometimes, often, or always lacked
About two thirds of Portuguese physicians
As a physician, I participated in an inquiry
appropriate personal protective equipment
say their burnout has become more
that looked into physical and mental
(PPE) when treating patients with COVID-
intense. Increases in burnout in the Brazil,
health issues at risk, as we battle the
19. The USA (54%), Portugal (50%),
Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom and USA
coronavirus pandemic. In this COVID-19
Germany (46%), and the United Kingdom
are similar to that. In Germany, only 45%
survey, physicians from several countries
(45%) had the highest proportions of
of physicians report more intense burnout.
told Medscape about their universal — yet
physicians who said they never treated
also varied — struggles to save patients
patients with COVID-19 without
Because humans are social animals,
while perhaps also dealing with loneliness,
appropriate PPE.
strife in their personal lives, and a changed
Portugal has one of the lowest percentages
mental state. Increased loneliness is
news and expert perspectives1.
view of medicine and their career2.
has had a profound impact on people's
in the question "have you personally
widespread; Germany is among the
The participation of physicians from
treated patients with covid-19?", with 57%
countries with the smallest proportion
Portugal was significant enough to allow
being positive among all positive responses
of physicians experiencing this 32% and
an analysis of their opinions in the context
in person or telemedicine. As of August
Portugal is in the top with 51% of answers
of the rest of the panel. It was possible to
2, 2020, COVID-19 deaths per 100,000
being “more lonely”.
verify that in this survey there is a global
population (3) for various countries are
answer that does not vary in amplitude.
as follows: United Kingdom, 69.6; Spain,
Physicians reported significant grief and
Generally speaking, we followed the
60.9; United States, 47.2; France, 45.2;
analysis of the conclusions of this survey
Brazil, 44.7; Mexico, 37.6; Portugal, 16.9;
(2) and verified where Portugal deviates
Germany, 11.0.
from the mean average of answers.
Portuguese physicians who contracted
The methodology for this survey was to
COVID-19 was 6%, one of the countries
invite active physicians to participate in an
with the lowest rate, as countries ranged
online survey conducted in English. A total
from a minimum of 5% (USA) to a
of 7414 responses were obtained fulfilling
maximum of 20% (Spain).
criteria to complete the survey: Portugal
Physicians in the seven countries surveyed
"Altruism must take second place where a
saw a large decrease in income. (This
real and present threat exists to my own
question was not asked in the United
personal existence," said one US internist.
Kingdom). Over 60% of physicians in
In the period of the survey there was
(n=382), Brazil (n=400), France (n=152), Germany (n=273), Mexico (n=400, Spain (n=400)), United Kingdom (n=402), USA (n=5005). The recruitment period ran from 9 June to 20 July 2020.
the United States and Brazil experienced a decline in income. The percentage of physicians in Mexico (56%) and Portugal (49%) whose incomes decreased were also
52
distancing and restricting social activities
trauma that arose from treating patients with COVID-19. Physicians in most countries surveyed have a strong sense of ethics when it comes to putting themselves on the line for patients in need. Doctors in France are most likely to feel that it's their obligation compared with their peers in all other countries except Spain. Still, not everyone agreed.
ongoing and potentially promising
