A RETROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS ON CHANGING WORK PATTERNS OF CONSULTANT ANAESTHETISTS DURING THE FIRST AND SECOND WAVES OF SARS-COV-2: IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE PANDEMIC PLANNING.

Gunseli Malleck-Amode-Peerzada; Sudha Bechan; Imraan Asmal

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v4i12.637

Authors

Dr. Gunseli Malleck-Amode-Peerzada Discipline of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Berea 4001, Durban, South Africa.
Dr. Sudha Bechan Discipline of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Berea 4001, Durban, South Africa.
Dr. Imraan Asmal Discipline of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Berea 4001, Durban, South Africa.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v4i12.637

Keywords:

SARS-CoV-2, Work Patterns, Anesthetists, Crisis Planning, Healthcare Workforce, South Africa

Abstract

Background:

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare systems, altering the work patterns of healthcare professionals. This study investigates the evolving work patterns of consultant anaesthetists at a quaternary hospital during the pandemic and examines their implications for future pandemic preparedness.

Methods:

The study involved a retrospective analysis of consultant working sessions between January 2019 and March 2021, extracted from the departmental schedule. These sessions were classified into three primary categories: Clinical sessions, Administrative/academic sessions, and Leave sessions, each further subdivided. Quantitative data was portrayed through counts, percentages, and ranges. A comparison was drawn between the pre-pandemic and pandemic datasets, evaluated using Mann-Whitney testing.

Results:

A total of 7812 work sessions were analysed Despite a reduction in total sessions during the pandemic, there was a significant shift in consultants' allocation towards clinical sessions compared to the pre- pandemic phase (p=0.049). Allocation to "in theatre" clinical sessions displayed no significant variation (p=0.768). The increased clinical sessions during the pandemic were attributed to consultants being redeployed to Cut-off theatre clinical roles, such as the COVID ICU and COVID team. No significant increase was seen in sick leave taken during the study period, however annual leave did reduce significantly. Academic sessions also experienced a significant drop in sessions.

Conclusion:

The study reveals shifts in the work patterns of anaesthetic consultants in response to the global health pandemic. Clinical sessions increased within the anaesthetic department due to staff redistribution to out-of-theatre COVID-related responsibilities. The findings emphasize the importance of effective workforce planning and crisis management strategies to ensure continuous essential healthcare delivery by anaesthetists during future pandemics.

Recommendation:

Adaptable workforce planning, staff flexibility, novel roles, and revised session structures, is pivotal in addressing pandemic challenges and meeting unique demands effectively.

Author Biographies

Dr. Gunseli Malleck-Amode-Peerzada, Discipline of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Berea 4001, Durban, South Africa.

completed her medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, after having graduated with a BSc in Physiology. After graduating as a medical doctor, she relocated to South Africa. During her medical internship on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, her enthusiasm for the field of anesthesia blossomed. At present, she is in her third year as a registrar in training in the Department of Anaesthetics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with aspirations to enhance perioperative healthcare practices throughout the African continent.

Dr. Sudha Bechan, Discipline of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Berea 4001, Durban, South Africa.

works as a consultant anaesthetist at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), and is an honorary lecturer in the Discipline of Anaesthesiology at the University of Kwazulu-Natal Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, and an examiner for the College of Medicine of South Africa. As the Head Clinical Unit of Acute and Chronic Pain Services and High Risk Obstetric Anaesthesia, her research interests are pain, perioperative medicine, medical education, anaesthesia for high risk obstetric anaesthesia interdisciplinary and holistic patient centred care. Her interests are traveling, walking, cooking and reading

Dr. Imraan Asmal, Discipline of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Berea 4001, Durban, South Africa.

is a consultant anaesthetist practicing in the private sector in Durban, South Africa. He is also an honorary lecturer in the Discipline of Anaesthesiology at the University of Kwazulu-Natal Nelson Mandela School of Medicine. His research interest is in operating theatre management and the improvement of theatre efficiency. He was the co-supervisor for Dr Gunseli Malleck’s research study.