SOCIAL ISOLATION EMANATED PSYCHOLOGICAL EXHAUSTION AND DISCONNECTEDNESS AMONG PHYSICIANS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: RESULTS OF A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to global healthcare systems, disproportionately affecting frontline physicians. In Pakistan, where healthcare resources are limited and the physician-to-patient ratio is approximately 1:1,300, many doctors worked under extreme pressure, balancing the demands of clinical care with the risk of infection. Physicians who tested positive were required to isolate, often experiencing psychological distress and social disconnection during quarantine. This study explores the social and psychological implications of isolation on physicians during the COVID-19 crisis in Pakistan. Objective: To investigate the psychological exhaustion and social disconnectedness experienced by physicians during their mandatory COVID-19 isolation period. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted between November 2020 and April 2021 at two tertiary care hospitals in Islamabad: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital. Using a purposive sampling technique, 14 physicians who tested positive for COVID-19 and underwent at least 15 days of isolation were recruited. Data were collected via in-depth telephonic interviews guided by a semi-structured questionnaire. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis framework to extract key psychological and social themes. Results: Among 14 participants (9 males, 5 females), the isolation period extended beyond the standard 15 days for 6 physicians due to ongoing symptoms. Thematic analysis revealed two major themes: psychological exhaustion, with subthemes of depression (reported by 10 physicians), anxiety (12 physicians), and loneliness (9 physicians); and disconnectedness, with subthemes of relational detachment (8 physicians) and lack of interaction (11 physicians). Participants expressed emotional turmoil due to separation from patients, family, and professional roles. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for integrated psychological support and targeted mental health interventions for physicians during infectious disease outbreaks. Addressing emotional well-being is essential to sustain the healthcare workforce in ongoing and future health emergencies.