I was interviewed and quoted in the article, “As lockdown eases, Victorian GPs brace for wave of health issues”, written by Mr Doug Hendrie, published in newsGP.

Hendrie D. As lockdown eases, Victorian GPs brace for wave of health issues. newsGP. 2020 October 20. Available from: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/as-lockdown-eases-victorian-gps-brace-for-wave-of [PDF]

Quotation

Sydney GP and UNSW senior lecturer Dr Michael Tam told newsGP people with chronic illness may have deferred care due to COVID-related anxieties.

‘It’s possible some chronic illnesses may be less stable, with either symptoms less well controlled or it has been destabilised from a previous homeostasis,’ he said. ‘They may well have lived with symptoms without going to hospital.’

Dr Tam recently diagnosed cancer in a patient who had experienced delays in testing.

His own practice – which focuses on severe mental illness – saw an increase in people living with very significant distress in the wake of the first wave of COVID between March and May.

‘For people living with mental illness, it has not been an easy time,’ he said. ‘There was a change in routine, greater isolation, and people stuck at home.

‘Often people aren’t used to spending the whole day with family members, and they may not necessarily get along with them. Or there may those in abusive situations at home.

‘There will be a lot of people in a lot of distress in Melbourne. There will be a long tail.

‘Some of these issues can be addressed through telehealth, but for some it’s not suitable or appropriate.’

Dr Tam believes the end of lockdown in Victoria could in fact make issues worse for some patients.

‘During an actual disaster you can see the narrative as, we’re all in the same boat, doing this for the good of the community. But as things relax, the narrative changes,’ he said.

‘Some of the issues you couldn’t think about because you were in a disaster may actually prove more challenging, especially if you lost work or are under rental stress.’