COVID-19 is the most dire challenge to hit the Australian healthcare system in living memory. Before the onslaught of the virus this March, doctors were already suffering from accumulated stressors.

Most public health services have been marked by low morale and high burnout rates for many years, and in private practice the workload and providing care when Medicare rebates have not risen for many years has been a chronic stress.

Then there was the unprecedented heat of the summer and the bushfires leading to the months of toxic smoke, and of course the traumatised community that needed help.

We doctors are not only worried about our patients when COVID-19 hits us, but also the wellbeing of our loved ones, in particular elderly parents and vulnerable family members, the practicalities of childcare and managing a business.