Primary care clinicians have been on the front lines of the war against COVID-19. Often the first, and ongoing points of patient contact, they have witnessed the devastation unleashed by the pandemic, and have experience chronic physiological stressors from a professional and personal perspective. Most media- attention has primarily been on patients and families especially from the battleground of the ITU/ COVID-wards of hospitals. The impact on primary care clinicians and their stories of exposure to chronic, often intense psychological stress remains largely undocumented. As a GP in the NHS, my intention is to create enhanced awareness amongst the medical fraternity and the public about our experiences which I believe is the key to ensuring continued wellbeing amongst medical staff and enhanced interactions between patients, families, and clinicians. This is my first of a series of photo-essays on this topic.
