• Hailey K Carroll, Stephen Moore, Abdul R Farooq, Shahid Iqbal, Danial K Hadi, and Seamus O'Reilly.
• Department of Medical Oncology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. hailey.k.carroll@gmail.com.
• Ir J Med Sci. 2023 Oct 1; 192 (5): 203320402033-2040.

BackgroundInternational doctors make up nearly half of the physicians working in Ireland and are an integral part of the health service. The COVID-19 pandemic declared in March 2020 led to a global healthcare emergency. Resulting national lockdowns precluded travel at a time of need for family support.AimWe aimed to measure the professional, psychosocial, and financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-EEA doctors working in Ireland.MethodsAn 88-item online survey of demographics, well-being, and financial resilience was circulated nationally between November 2021 and January 2022. The results were analysed using RStudio and Microsoft Excel 365.ResultsOne hundred thirty-eight responses were received. Sixty-two percent of responders reported wishing to stay in Ireland long-term and 44% had applied for citizenship. Despite 80% of responders working in their desired speciality, only 36% were on a specialist training scheme. Forty-seven percent felt their career was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-three percent of respondents reported missing significant events in their home country. Over 50% reported significant mental health issues personally or in their families; however, only a minority sought professional help. Financial issues were a source of anxiety for 15% of respondents. Financial resilience was poor, 20% of respondents cited a 1-month financial reserve, 10% had a personal pension, and 9% had made a will.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a multifactorial negative impact on non-national doctors working in Ireland. More must be done to offer multidimensional support to this cohort who are a crucial part of the underserviced Irish healthcare system.© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.

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