Redeployment of ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom during the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic

Abstract

Background: During the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some ophthalmologists across the United Kingdom (UK) have been redeployed to areas of need across the National Health Service (NHS). This survey was performed to assess aspects of this process including training & education, tasks expected, availability of personal protection equipment (PPE) used and the overall anxiety of ophthalmologists around their redeployment. Method: Online anonymous survey around the existing guidance on safe redeployment of secondary care NHS staff and PPE use by NHS England and Public Health England respectively. The survey was open to all ophthalmologists across the UK irrespective of their redeployment status. Findings: 145 surveys were completed and returned during a 2-week period between 17th April 2020 and 1st May 2020, when 52% of ophthalmologists were redeployed. The majority of this group consisted of ophthalmologists in training (79%). 81% of those redeployed were assigned to areas of the hospital where patients with confirmed Coronavirus disease were being treated as inpatients. There was a statistically significant improvement in anxiety level following redeployment which was mainly attributed to the support received by staff within the redeployed area. 71% of the redeployed group were found to have sufficient PPE was provided for the area they worked in. Interpretation: This is the first national survey performed on redeployment of ophthalmologists in the UK. The study showed that ophthalmologists across all grades were able to contribute in most aspects of patient care. Anxiety of redeployment was reduced by prior training and good support in the redeployment area.

Exploration of the views and experiences of research healthcare professionals during their redeployment to clinical roles during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Mummery and Kipps (2020) advocates for flexibility, accounting for individuals’ circumstances, health risks and skills when considering redeployment strategy and staff well‐being. These findings were supported by Lim et al, (2020) who conducted a survey on ophthalmologists. They found that junior ophthalmologists were more comfortable with redeployment due to their more recent general medical experience compared with their senior colleagues.…”

“…Following the H1N1 outbreak in Australia, one study was conducted using surveys investigating health workers’ absenteeism and sickness during the pandemic (Considine et al, 2011). Seven studies, surveys and articles were found relating to COVID‐19 redeployment, of those only one touched on the needs of non‐medically trained staff (Coughlan et al, 2020, Faderani et al, 2020, Johnston et al, 2020, Lim et al, 2020, Monroig‐Bosque et al, 2020, Mummery & Kipps, 2020 and Spiegelman et al, 2020) but the focus remained on medical doctors. Mummery and Kipps (2020) advocates for flexibility, accounting for individuals’ circumstances, health risks and skills when considering redeployment strategy and staff well‐being.…”

Redeployment and training of healthcare professionals to Intensive Care during COVID-19: a systematic review

“…Staff wellbeing needs that required attention included accommodation, testing and family responsibilities (D’souza, Shetty, Apuri, & Moreira, 2020; George et al, 2020). Lim et al, (2020) reported that redeployed ophthalmologists’ anxiety reduced once their redeployment role began. This was attributed to receiving support from staff in the redeployed area, the sufficient availability of PPE, and adequate training.…”

ENT trainees’ experience of redeployment during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a qualitative study

“…No work had previously been undertaken on the effect of redeployment on ENT surgeons within the UK. Although analogous surgical subspecialties have published in the area, 7 , 11 , 12 it is vital as a subspecialty that we explore the path taken and additionally the potential role that trainee ENT surgeons offer within an emergency pandemic setting.…”