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Research
Syed Ali Farhan
Dow University of Health Sciences
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0461-0060
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background:
The highly contagious nature of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) places physicians in South Asia at a high risk of contracting the infection. Accordingly, we conducted this review to provide an up to date account of physician deaths in South Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze and compare the different characteristics associated with physician mortality amongst the countries of the region.
Study Design:
Cross-Sectional Study
Methodology:
We performed a review study by using published news reports on the websites of news agencies from 9 selected countries in South Asia. Our study included only those physicians and doctors who died after contracting COVID-19 from their respective workplaces. All available data about the country of origin, type of, sex, age, medical or surgical specialty, and date of death were included.
Results:
The total number of physician deaths reported due to COVID-19 in our study was 170, with half (87/170, 51%) of the deaths reported from Iran. Male physicians' death was reported to be 145 (145/170=85%). Internal Medicine (58, 43%) was the most severely affected sub-specialty. The highest physician mortality rate in the general population recorded in Afghanistan (27/1000 deaths).
Conclusion
An increased number of physician deaths, owing to COVID-19, is seen in South Asia. This could be due to decreased personal protective equipment and the poor health care management systems of the countries in the region to combat the pandemic. Future studies should provide a detailed account of characteristics associated with physician mortalities along with the main complications arising due to the virus.
Keywords
COVID-19, Physician Mortality, South Asia
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 10 Feb, 2021
No community comments so far
Review #4 received
Received 18 Apr, 2021
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 30 Mar, 2021
Review #3 received
Received 29 Mar, 2021
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 27 Mar, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 24 Mar, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 23 Mar, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 23 Mar, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 14 Feb, 2021
Editor assigned
On 01 Feb, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 01 Feb, 2021
Editor invited
On 01 Feb, 2021
First submitted
On 31 Jan, 2021
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A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
This preprint is under consideration at Global Health Research and Policy. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Syed Ali Farhan
Dow University of Health Sciences
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0461-0060
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 10 Feb, 2021
No community comments so far
Review #4 received
Received 18 Apr, 2021
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 30 Mar, 2021
Review #3 received
Received 29 Mar, 2021
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 27 Mar, 2021
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 24 Mar, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 23 Mar, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 23 Mar, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 14 Feb, 2021
Editor assigned
On 01 Feb, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 01 Feb, 2021
Editor invited
On 01 Feb, 2021
First submitted
On 31 Jan, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background:
The highly contagious nature of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) places physicians in South Asia at a high risk of contracting the infection. Accordingly, we conducted this review to provide an up to date account of physician deaths in South Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze and compare the different characteristics associated with physician mortality amongst the countries of the region.
Study Design:
Cross-Sectional Study
Methodology:
We performed a review study by using published news reports on the websites of news agencies from 9 selected countries in South Asia. Our study included only those physicians and doctors who died after contracting COVID-19 from their respective workplaces. All available data about the country of origin, type of, sex, age, medical or surgical specialty, and date of death were included.
Results:
The total number of physician deaths reported due to COVID-19 in our study was 170, with half (87/170, 51%) of the deaths reported from Iran. Male physicians' death was reported to be 145 (145/170=85%). Internal Medicine (58, 43%) was the most severely affected sub-specialty. The highest physician mortality rate in the general population recorded in Afghanistan (27/1000 deaths).
Conclusion
An increased number of physician deaths, owing to COVID-19, is seen in South Asia. This could be due to decreased personal protective equipment and the poor health care management systems of the countries in the region to combat the pandemic. Future studies should provide a detailed account of characteristics associated with physician mortalities along with the main complications arising due to the virus.
Figure 1
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