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. 2020 Jun;7(2):158-160.
doi: 10.7861/fhj.2020-0035.

Sacrifice and risk in the time of COVID-19

Julia Simons  1 , Jenny Vaughan  2
Affiliations

Sacrifice and risk in the time of COVID-19

Julia Simons et al. Future Healthc J. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of healthcare delivery. This article discusses the concept of medical sacrifice and personal risk, and how healthcare workers can apply these concepts when working outside their comfort zones, while remaining within the limits of their clinical competence. Guidance from the General Medical Council and the medical defence organisations is reviewed and considered in its practical application. We explore how a medical student, now a 'fast tracked' junior doctor, and a senior consultant, with pre-existing health issues, can feel confident working as part of the NHS response to COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; competence; medical negligence; medical regulation; risk.

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