The human side of healthcare: A quality-of-life study among Ayurved doctors in COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges globally, with India facing a severe outbreak starting in March 2020. Ayurvedic doctors were integral in managing the health crisis, especially during the second wave, amidst extreme stress, increased patient load, and personal health risks. This study aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) of Ayurvedic doctors in Pune who served as frontline workers during the pandemic. Conducted from June to July 2021, the cross-sectional observational study involved 100 Ayurvedic doctors who had worked for more than six months during the pandemic. Using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, the study evaluated their QoL across physical, psychological, social relationship, and environmental domains. The findings revealed significant stress, negative emotions, physical fatigue, and challenges in the work environment, with mean scores of 50.04 in the psychological domain, 56.82 in the physical domain, 59.53 in the environmental domain, and 65.58 in the social relationship domain. The study concludes that the pandemic adversely affected the QoL of Ayurvedic doctors, highlighting the need for improved support, resources, and professional development to enhance their preparedness and well-being in future health crises.