Understanding COVID-19's Impact on Mental Health of Pakistan's Pathology Professionals
In the hushed corridors of Pakistan's tertiary healthcare centers, a silent crisis unfolded as COVID-19 swept through the nation. While the world applauded frontline healthcare workers, a critical group remained in the shadows—pathologists and laboratory professionals who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to diagnose and track the virus. This article explores the often-overlooked psychological toll the pandemic exacted on these essential medical personnel, whose mental wellbeing became collateral damage in the war against COVID-19.
Pathologists faced immense pressure to provide accurate COVID-19 diagnoses with limited resources
Continuous exposure to infectious samples created persistent anxiety about personal safety
Testing demands increased exponentially, leading to exhaustion and burnout
When the COVID-19 pandemic reached Pakistan, pathologists suddenly found themselves at the epicenter of the crisis. These professionals, who typically work behind the scenes, were thrust into prolonged exposure to infectious samples, faced overwhelming workloads as testing demands skyrocketed, and worked under the constant pressure of producing accurate results that would determine patient fates and public health policies. Despite these challenges, their mental health needs often went unrecognized in a healthcare system stretched to its limits.
Source: Study of frontline healthcare workers in Rawalpindi 7
Source: Study on ENT physicians in Lahore 9
Though specific studies focusing exclusively on pathologists in Pakistan are limited, research on similar healthcare professional groups reveals alarming trends. A study of frontline healthcare workers in Rawalpindi found that 34% experienced significant anxiety and 19% reported depression 7 . Another study conducted on ENT physicians—who, like pathologists, faced high exposure risks through respiratory specimens—showed these mental health challenges persisted long after the acute crisis phase had passed 9 .
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered three interconnected mental health challenges among healthcare professionals:
Characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and decreased energy. Pakistani researchers found depressive symptoms manifesting as a sense of hopelessness among healthcare workers, particularly those with high patient exposure 5 .
A state of mental strain resulting from adverse circumstances. Research identified moderate to high perceived stress in 69-83% of Pakistani healthcare professionals during the pandemic, linked to resource constraints and overwhelming workloads 2 .
The psychological impact on pathologists can be understood through several theoretical frameworks:
This framework helps explain why some healthcare professionals developed severe psychological symptoms while others demonstrated remarkable adaptability.
While direct research on pathologists is limited, a 2025 mixed-methods study on ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) physicians in a Lahore tertiary hospital provides valuable insights into the experiences of similar high-exposure medical specialists 9 . ENT physicians, like pathologists, faced particularly high risks due to their specialization in the respiratory system—the primary route of COVID-19 transmission.
This comprehensive study employed an explanatory sequential design, beginning with quantitative surveys to measure mental health symptoms, followed by qualitative interviews to explore the lived experiences behind the numbers. The researchers focused on physicians at Jinnah Hospital Lahore, a tertiary care facility that received complex cases from across the Punjab region, creating a high-pressure environment with significant exposure risks 9 .
The ENT study serves as an important proxy for understanding pathologists' experiences, as both groups faced similar challenges including high exposure to respiratory pathogens, increased workload during the pandemic, and similar professional pressures.
Location: Jinnah Hospital, Lahore
Participants: 42 ENT physicians
Method: Mixed-methods approach
Timeline: March - September 2022
Focus: Mental health impact of COVID-19
The mental health study on physicians followed a rigorous scientific protocol:
Researchers invited 73 ENT physicians, including specialists, trainees, and house officers, to participate. Of these, 42 completed the survey (57.5% participation rate), and 8 subsequently participated in in-depth interviews 9 .
The study employed three validated psychological instruments:
The quantitative survey was conducted from March to May 2022, followed by qualitative interviews from June to September 2022, capturing perspectives as the immediate crisis evolved into enduring challenges 9 .
Researchers used statistical analysis for quantitative data and thematic analysis for interview transcripts, allowing for triangulation of findings through multiple data sources 9 .
The study revealed significant lingering mental health challenges among physicians long after the peak of the pandemic:
| Mental Health Dimension | Severity Level | Prevalence | Key Contributing Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | Moderate to High | Significant portion of participants | Safety concerns, professional isolation |
| Depression | Moderate to High | Widespread among participants | Grief, workload pressure, trauma |
| Perceived Stress | Moderate to High | Majority of participants | Resource constraints, patient overload |
Table 1: Mental Health Symptoms Among Physicians (2022)
The qualitative findings provided crucial context to these numbers. Physicians described enduring concerns about contagion risk, even after vaccination, and expressed profound professional isolation due to infection control measures that limited collegial interactions 9 . Many reported that the emotional burden of losing patients and colleagues had created lasting psychological scars that persisted well beyond the acute phase of the pandemic.
Source: Brief COPE Inventory results from the ENT physician study 9
| Coping Strategy | Type | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Active Coping | Adaptive | High |
| Emotional Support | Adaptive | Moderate-High |
| Avoidance | Maladaptive | Low |
Table 2: Coping Strategies Employed by Healthcare Professionals
The research identified that physicians who employed active coping strategies demonstrated better psychological outcomes than those relying on avoidance or other maladaptive approaches 9 .
The psychological impact on pathologists and other healthcare professionals extended far beyond clinical symptoms. Interviews revealed profound moral injuries as professionals faced impossible choices about resource allocation while watching patients and colleagues succumb to the virus 9 . Many described the heart-wrenching experience of isolating from their own families to protect them from potential infection, creating a devastating emotional disconnect from crucial support systems at the moment they needed them most.
Several factors unique to Pakistan's healthcare system intensified the mental health burden:
The psychological toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pakistan's pathologists and other healthcare professionals represents not just a healthcare crisis, but a fundamental challenge to the sustainability of our medical systems. These dedicated individuals have borne the weight of the pandemic in ways that remain largely invisible to the public they serve.
Only by addressing these silent scars can we truly honor their sacrifice and build a more resilient healthcare system capable of facing future challenges.