When the going gets tough, the tough get going. The Covid-19 has been nothing short of a nightmare for all those who have been combating the pandemic at the frontlines. While medical fraternity can be seen overwhelmed as they tackled the virus, a few managed to find positive reinforcement during the distressing times and going beyond their profession to help themselves and their patients cope with physical and mental exhaustion. Neha Saini spoke to two frontline workers who gave it all during these tough times.

A doctor who doodles to relieve stress

As an intern at SGRDI, Dr Tavleen Sandhu was among the young batch of doctors on duty at the frontlines when the virus was at its peak in the city. Working to find ways to combat the pandemic as well as stress, Dr Sandhu used doodling as an effective stress management technique for herself and those around her. “I had been doodling since I was a student of medicine. It was an excellent stress buster for me. During the Covid-19 peak, I turned to doodle art as an effective tool for stress relieve and to create awareness regarding Covid- appropriate behaviour,” she said. Dr Sandhu has been leading creative campaign for disease awareness, including Covid-19 safety protocol, mental health awareness and violence against doctors. “I used to doodle after a stressful day at work and that’s when my colleagues started encouraging me to use my art to make people understand the importance of following safety measures,” she said and added that doodle can be an effective tool in helping people improve mental health. “It helps in improving focus, relieving stress and productive engagement.”

A popular perception about doctors that you want to change?

Doctors are beyond the popular perception of being bookworms; total dedication to the profession aside.

‘Lending an ear to ease suffering and trauma’

Dr Raman Chathrath has managed a rare feat of making his profession his passion. Dr Chathrath has been leading several community outreach programmes, including ‘Each One, Save One’, that focuses on teaching life saving techniques like CPR and first aid to masses. During the pandemic, he realised that treatment of a patient goes beyond medical prescription. “It has been an exhausting time, watching people lose their loved ones and doctors trying their best to alleviate the pain and suffering of people. We had reached out to the Civil Hospitals in remote areas in Batala and Tarn Taran, making sure that everyone had access to treatment,” he said. He started free ambulance service, distribution of food and medicine for patients and providing oxygen concentrators free of cost for home treatment. “The most important service I offered was to lend an ear. I used to be available to anyone going through mental trauma 24x7. I received maximum distress calls during night, when people used to just call in a moment of anxiety or panic, seeking help,” he said. Dr Chathrath still volunteers as telephonic consultant. As for his own, he said although the stress was more than usual, “I felt a deep sense of accountability towards anyone who reached out to me, whether they were my patients or not. Yes, it was not easy, but difficult times, require unprecedented efforts.”

A popular perception about doctors that you want to change?

One thing that I want people to understand about doctors is that they too are human and suffer from same emotions as any other human being. They cannot be beaten up, blamed for things beyond their control.