Impact of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and training of ophthalmology residents doing COVID duties in Gujarat

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.