The Impact of COVID-19 on the Psychological Well-Being of Surgeons in Pakistan: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic left a profound and pervasive impact on the healthcare infrastructure on a global scale. Since its onset, the pattern of reported cases and its associated mortality had shown variability with intermittent peaks causing a significant effect on the psychological well-being of the surgeons of Pakistan. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being of surgeons in Pakistan. Methods This multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological well-being of surgeons in Pakistan. The validated Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20) tool was circulated electronically via Google Forms (Google, Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA) in the practicing surgical fraternity across all five regions of Pakistan, i.e., Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Results This study showed that the female gender, having fewer years of working experience, non-satisfaction with the available personal protective equipment (PPE), and working in the public sector were the factors affecting the psychological well-being of surgeons during the pandemic. Conclusion Considering the continuous rise in new cases during the ongoing pandemic, the mental health of surgeons working in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) such as Pakistan has been significantly affected. There is an undeniable need to pay close attention to their psychological well-being. Measures need to be undertaken to ensure their physical and mental health and wellness.

Bifurcated rib with vertebral defects - A rare anatomical variant: Case report with literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Bifurcated ribs are a neuroskeletal anomaly which are incidentally discovered on chest X-ray. It is a developmental disorder where sternal end of a rib is split into two, commonly found in males, on the right side and unilaterally not associated with a vertebral defect. PRESENTATION OF CASE: In this report we discuss a case of a 17-year-old girl with a left bifid rib alongside a segmental defect of the vertebra. DISCUSSION: Bifurcated ribs usually occur in isolation or with other rib abnormalities associated with vertebral defects. Most cases are asymptomatic or found at post-mortem. Gorlin Syndrome is a condition where both these anatomical defects form a part of its criteria. CONCLUSION: With barely any data on significance of bifid rib with vertebral defects and no conclusive exclusion of Gorlin Syndrome, close monitoring coupled with regular follow-ups in such patients is the likely plan of treatment. In addition, genetic testing for susceptible genes should be strongly considered.

The junior doctor contract in the National Health Service.

The progression of the junior doctor contract negotiations within the National Health Service (NHS) has been widely reported. We aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the current state of affairs with the contract negotiations and hope to inform those who may not be familiar with the situation affecting junior doctors in the NHS.