For Some MDs, Long COVID Burnout Is a New Reality

Dhaval Desai, MD, was teaching his 4-year-old to ride a bike after another exhausting shift at the hospital during the summer after the first COVID-19 surge. He was putting on a happy face and forcing out a "Yay!" he did not feel. The pandemic had taken its toll, and he just wanted to lie down and be alone. Realizing that he was "scraping to find joy" was when he knew something was wrong.

Desai is one of thousands of physicians across the United States who have experienced burnout and depression, exacerbated by the pandemic. After 4 years, the impact is still being felt. I spoke with Desai about his experiences, a journey he documented in his book, Burning Out on the Covid Front Lines. Read the full story here.