• Nathalie Gaucher, Evelyne D Trottier, Anne-Josee Côté, Huma Ali, Bertrand Lavoie, Claude-Julie Bourque, Samina Ali, and for Pediatric Emergency Research Canada.
• Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175 Ch Cote Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec, H3T1C5, Canada. nathalie.orr.gaucher@umontreal.ca.
• CJEM. 2021 Jul 1; 23 (4): 466474466-474.

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to explore Canadian emergency physicians' experiences, concerns, and perspectives during the first wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey of physician members of Pediatric Emergency Research Canada and the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians explored: personal safety/responsibility to care; patient interactions; ethical issues in pandemic care; institutional dynamics and communication practices. Data analysis was descriptive: categorical data were summarised with frequency distributions, continuous data [100 mm visual analog scales (VAS)] were analysed using measures of central tendency. Short open-ended items were coded to identify frequencies of responses.ResultsFrom June 29 to July 29, 2020, 187 respondents (13% response rate) completed the survey: 39% were from Ontario and 20% from Quebec, trained in general (50%) or pediatric (37%) emergency medicine. Respondents reported a high moral obligation to care for patients (97/100, IQR: 85-100, on 100 mm VAS). Fear of contracting COVID-19 changed how 82% of respondents reported interacting with patients, while 97% reported PPE negatively impacted patient care. Despite reporting a high proportion of negative emotions (84%), respondents (59%) were not/slightly concerned about their mental health. Top concerns included a potential second wave, Canada's financial situation, worldwide solidarity, and youth mental health. Facilitators to provide emergency care included: teamwork, leadership, clear communications strategies.ConclusionCanadian emergency physicians felt a strong sense of responsibility to care, while dealing with several ethical dilemmas. Clear communication strategies, measures to ensure safety, and appropriate emergency department setups facilitate pandemic care. Emergency physicians were not concerned about their own mental health, requiring further exploration.

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