Impact of <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 on the mental health of surgeons and coping strategies

Abstract

Unprecedented times call for extraordinary measures. While surgeons across the globe try to comprehend the evolving facade of the COVID-19 pandemic and improvise surgical practice to the best of their ability, the psychological impact of the stress on their own mental health and well-being has been underestimated. This paper aims to review the indirect and overt factors that may affect the mental health of a surgeon in the present circumstances. Furthermore, it will aim to highlight key coping mechanisms at an individual and institutional level, so as to mitigate the negative psychological impact on surgeons.