Dr Rachel James is a rural general practice obstetrician registrar who is currently undergoing two weeks mandatory isolation in order to return to Perth for family matters. Dr James is travelling from Deniliquin, a rural town in NSW, where she is usually found spreading her time across the general practice clinic, being on call for the local emergency department, treating hospital inpatients and managing the obstetric unit.

With one quarantine police check and daily text messages from the health department, Dr James says that she is starting to notice how living rurally has cushioned her from the changing COVID-19 world. 

Interested to gain fist-hand insight, we asked Dr James to discuss her thoughts about self-isolation, extended periods of quarantine, and mental health. 

How do you plan to manage your time and mental health during your self-isolation?
When starting isolation I wrote a very long list of all the work I wanted to complete that was too long to actually complete, so I knew I would not run out of things to do. This wasn’t about achieving, it was about staying busy. I also brought my violin with me so I can actually practice for a change. 

I decided to have a very set routine so I didn’t get lost with time. I keep my blinds up at night so the light will wake me in the morning. I have breakfast and then ensure I do some exercise. I have a love for ballet and on-line barre workouts are absolutely fantastic for a small confined space. Then I have a morning and afternoon session of paperwork.

I make sure to have some joy in my day. I have just finished reading a book I have been meaning to read for 2 years, I am finishing knitting a scarf in my favourite colour, I am trying to master Irish-washer-women on my violin. I am also trying to have every cup of tea piping hot, which is not something I manage to do at work! 

Currently, it feels like two weeks off adulting and since I have been allowed to quarantine in my Mum’s house, I feel like I am a teenager who has been grounded.  No cooking, no laundry, no grocery shopping, no on-calls. So for two weeks I am trying to see the best side of quarantining. If it was three weeks, well that would be hard. And if I had to quarantine with kids, well that would incredibly difficult.

Has self-isolation given you a new perspective or appreciation for mental health awareness? 
Mental health is always important and the strain of COVID-19 restrictions on mental health will be seen for many years to come. I think all doctors are starting to see the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of their patients and the community. People have been pulled away from their support structures. Now that it is getting to the six-month mark and there is no end in sight, the edges are fraying. There are babies born in my town who have not met their grandparents, there are new mums who have not had the support of their mums. There are people who have passed away without their children next to them. There is so much grief occurring at the moment as a direct and indirect consequence of COVID-19. 

I am in quarantine but I can hear my family on the other side of the door, so in a way even though I am in isolation having the close proximity to family is a privilege. 

What tips do you have for others who are currently in self-isolation or extended lock down? 
I don’t think I can provide advice for those who are in extended lock down. This is quite different to two weeks isolation. I find people do very well when there is a known finish line. Entering into this quarantine time I could mentally prepare myself for two weeks. But if someone told me at the end of two weeks, it would be another two weeks that is where I would really struggle. And that is the reality of the extended lock-downs, it is not just the lock-down itself, it is not knowing how long it will last. This can be very difficult for mental wellbeing. 

All I can say is keep on talking with friends, family and loved ones. Try to find joy in everyday, try to exercise every day and don’t focus on achieving.

Learn more about Dr James and her journey into medicine here. 

Please make sure you are looking out for your own mental health and wellbeing in these challenging times. ACRRM members can access 24/7 support here.