A new poll by the Canadian Medical Association has found many physicians are suffering from anxiety due to a lack of personal protective equipment and testing.
Close to 90% of physicians who responded to the survey indicated that a greater availability of PPE would help reduce their anxiety around the pandemic.
The survey also found 84 per cent indicated more COVID-19 testing would also help ease their concerns.
The survey is a follow-up to a poll conducted at the end of March, with almost 2,500 physicians responding.
Around one third of the doctors in community practices said they had less than two days worth of PPE including faceshields, respirators gowns and goggles.
With these findings, the CMA is calling for greater transparency on the distribution of PPE for health care providers and urgent action to increase levels of population testing.
“The anxiety experienced by health care providers is compounded by a lack of information and assurance that everything possible is being done to protect them and understand the spread of the virus among Canadians,” says Dr. Sandy Buchman, CMA president. “We know that governments are working hard to improve the availability of personal protective equipment, but physicians continue to be gravely concerned about their ability to provide care safely.”
