Author, Burning Out On The Covid Front Lines, a Doctor’s Memoir of Fatherhood, Race and Perseverance in the Pandemic
In a recent episode of Ira's Everything Bagel Podcast, host Ira Sternberg sat down with Dr. Dhaval Desai, author of Burning Out On The Covid Front Lines: A Doctor’s Memoir of Fatherhood, Race, and Perseverance in the Pandemic. During this candid conversation, Dr. Desai opens up about the challenges of being a frontline physician in one of the most turbulent periods of modern medicine. His memoir sheds light on the highs and lows he faced while treating patients, balancing family life, and navigating the psychological impact of the crisis.
The Origin Story Behind Burning Out On The Covid Front Lines
Dr. Desai’s journey through the pandemic became a deeply personal story that needed to be told. As a physician based in metro Atlanta, he witnessed firsthand the extreme demands placed on healthcare workers. Dr. Desai describes his book as both a therapeutic project and a call to action. He explains that documenting his experiences allowed him to process the whirlwind of emotions he endured while also providing insight into the challenges faced by healthcare professionals on the front lines.
“Writing became a way to make sense of it all,” Dr. Desai shared. He also emphasizes that his memoir isn’t just about him; it’s about the countless healthcare workers who struggled to balance their commitment to patients with their mental and emotional well-being. The book underscores the need for systemic change in supporting healthcare workers, particularly during crises.
Adapting to Constant Change in a High-Stakes Environment
One of the defining features of the COVID-19 pandemic was the rapid evolution of medical knowledge and protocols. As Dr. Desai explains, healthcare workers faced an environment of perpetual uncertainty. Guidelines shifted as more was learned about the virus, and medical professionals were often left grappling with incomplete information while caring for vulnerable patients.
Dr. Desai recalls the daily adjustments he had to make, adapting to new protocols and balancing the emotional toll that came with every shift. “Every day was different, and each new guideline was a reminder of how little we knew,” he says. His experiences highlight the tremendous adaptability required of healthcare workers, who were tasked with maintaining professionalism and compassion despite ever-changing conditions.
Coping with Mental Health Challenges and Burnout
The pandemic’s emotional toll on healthcare providers cannot be overstated, and Dr. Desai was no exception. He openly discusses his struggles with burnout, a topic he believes needs to be addressed more openly in the medical field. “Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired,” he explains. “It’s about reaching a point where mental and emotional exhaustion becomes the norm.”
Dr. Desai’s memoir brings attention to the critical need for mental health support among healthcare providers. He argues that hospitals and health systems should prioritize the mental well-being of their staff, not only to reduce burnout but also to improve the quality of patient care. Through his own experiences, Dr. Desai has become a vocal advocate for breaking the stigma around mental health struggles among doctors and nurses.
Race and Representation in Healthcare
Dr. Desai’s journey in medicine is shaped not only by his role as a physician but also by his identity as a South Asian doctor. In his conversation with Sternberg, he addresses the nuances of race and representation in healthcare. He shares moments where his cultural background intersected with his professional life, underscoring the importance of diversity in medicine.
Dr. Desai emphasizes that greater representation is essential for patient trust and understanding. Patients often feel more comfortable when treated by healthcare providers who understand their cultural backgrounds, he notes. His insights serve as a reminder that representation in medicine is not only about inclusion but also about providing compassionate and personalized patient care.
Balancing Family Life and Professional Responsibilities
Dr. Desai’s experiences during the pandemic extended beyond the hospital walls; he also had to balance his role as a husband and father. Married to fellow physician Yogita, with whom he shares two young children, Dr. Desai describes the challenge of juggling professional and personal responsibilities during such a demanding time.
He recalls the difficult moments of being away from his family, compounded by the stress of potentially bringing the virus home. “Balancing family life with a career in healthcare is always challenging,” he reflects, “but the pandemic intensified that in ways I never expected.” His commitment to both his family and his career serves as an inspiring example of resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Key Takeaways from Burning Out On The Covid Front Lines
Dr. Desai’s memoir is a testament to resilience, empathy, and the human spirit’s ability to persevere through crisis. He hopes that his book will serve as a source of understanding and inspiration for both healthcare workers and the public. Through his experiences, Dr. Desai emphasizes several lessons:
- Adaptability Is Key: The ability to adjust to rapidly changing circumstances is essential in healthcare, particularly during crises. Dr. Desai’s experiences demonstrate the importance of remaining flexible and open to new information.
- Mental Health Matters: Dr. Desai’s journey underscores the need for mental health support within the medical community. He argues that addressing burnout and emotional exhaustion is essential for creating a sustainable healthcare system.
- Diversity in Medicine Enhances Patient Care: Representation matters, and Dr. Desai’s insights on race in healthcare highlight the importance of understanding cultural nuances to provide compassionate and effective care.
- Family and Community Support Is Vital: Balancing personal and professional roles requires a strong support system. Dr. Desai’s story reminds us of the importance of family, friends, and community in navigating challenging times.
Conclusion
Burning Out On The Covid Front Lines is more than just a memoir; it’s a heartfelt reflection on the realities of being a doctor in a time of crisis. Through his conversation with Ira Sternberg, Dr. Dhaval Desai offers an intimate glimpse into the challenges, resilience, and humanity that defined his experience on the pandemic front lines. For anyone interested in understanding the true impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers, Dr. Desai’s insights provide a compelling narrative that sheds light on the enduring power of compassion and perseverance.
Useful Links
Follow Dr. Dhaval Desai on TwitterDr. Dhaval Desai Official WebsiteDr. Dhaval Desai on LinkedInFollow Dr. Dhaval Desai on InstagramFollow Dr. Dhaval Desai on Facebook
Watch the full Podcast Video
Read The Full Transcript
Dr. Dhaval Desai Podcast Epsiode Full Transcript
Ira Sternberg: Welcome to Ira’s Everything Bagel, where I talk with intriguing people about everything—their passions, pursuits, and points of view. COVID is still with us, but it’s not at the pandemic levels that changed our society not that long ago. We know what it was like dealing with shutdowns, masks, and isolation. My guest was on the front lines of the pandemic. Dr. Dhaval Desai is the author of Burning Out on the COVID Front Lines: A Doctor’s Memoir of Fatherhood, Race, and Perseverance in the Pandemic. It’s published by McFarland and Company and available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all the usual places. For everything about Dr. Desai, go to dhavaldesaimd.com. Follow him on Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Dhaval, welcome to the show.
Dr. Dhaval Desai: Thanks so much for having me, Ira.
Ira Sternberg: This is clearly a very personal book, one that doesn’t shy away from the reality of dealing with a pressure cooker. You faced intense pressure both at home and professionally. Why did you decide to write this book?
Dr. Dhaval Desai: It was something I needed to do as a form of catharsis. From surge to surge in the pandemic, about a year and a half in, I realized I had a story to tell and a voice to use. I was able to share medical advice through some media opportunities during the pandemic about best practices and what life was like inside the hospital. I wanted to go further with that. If I was going through these intense experiences, others must have been too.
Ira Sternberg: This was a universal experience not only in this country but around the world. COVID affected everyone, not just the average person, but the whole medical system too. Can you give us insight into the impact this had on you, first as a professional and then as a husband and father?
Dr. Dhaval Desai: Certainly. Professionally, this was the most challenging period of my career. The clinical care aspect was tough because everything was changing constantly—sometimes minute by minute. Isolation guidelines, dwindling PPE supplies—it was all changing so fast. How do you protect yourself and your team, while still leading and managing care effectively? Physicians are used to having a clear path to help patients heal, but with COVID, there wasn’t one clear path, and that was frustrating.
Ira Sternberg: You also had patients who didn’t accept your medical advice—patients who came into the hospital with their own ideas about what treatments would work. That had to be not only frustrating but maddening, right?
Dr. Dhaval Desai: Absolutely. It was maddening. Under normal circumstances, you have the occasional patient who questions treatment, but with COVID, there were so many misconceptions. And with COVID, not following the right medical advice could have severe impacts on others, not just the individual. There were times when it became very transactional; I’d tell patients, “Here’s what we can offer. We’re not doing that other treatment you want.” It wasn’t satisfying, but we had to be efficient and realistic.
Ira Sternberg: Did you ever estimate the percentage of patients who were opposed to the treatment protocols? Was it a high percentage?
Dr. Dhaval Desai: It wasn’t the majority, but even one or two resistant patients a week can really weigh you down. They take up more time, more energy, and that was energy we didn’t have to spare. And while I’d say the majority were cooperative, that vocal minority could derail an entire day. Things worsened when the vaccine was introduced; that’s when we saw a deeper divide between those who trusted in COVID treatment and those who didn’t.
Ira Sternberg: In retrospect, looking back now with a little more distance, do you think the protocols—masks, vaccines, isolation—were effective, or was it more a case of doing the best we could at the time?
Dr. Dhaval Desai: At that time, those measures were necessary. We couldn’t let the healthcare system become more overwhelmed than it already was. For instance, we saw children’s hospital admissions drop because people were distancing, masking, and avoiding social interactions. It was the right thing to do at that time, and if faced with the same situation again, I’d support those measures. Maybe we’d adjust based on vaccine availability, but overall, I think those steps were necessary for the greater good.
Ira Sternberg: You seem pretty laid-back, but in reading your book, it’s clear you’re a Type A personality. You balance family life with professional responsibilities, and you’re constantly dealing with high-pressure situations. Your wife is also a physician, and you had young kids at home. How did you handle all of that?
Dr. Dhaval Desai: I may seem laid-back on the outside, but inside, I’m not! In the beginning, I think adrenaline helped carry me through. In those first six months, being part of something historic was both empowering and exhilarating. People were cheering for healthcare workers, and it fueled us. But by late summer of 2020, I was running on fumes. I remember one day trying to teach my four-year-old daughter to ride her bike, and instead of feeling joy, I just wanted the day to be over. That was a red flag that something was wrong, and I needed help.
Ira Sternberg: Mental health is a big theme in your book, and the medical profession is known for its reluctance to acknowledge vulnerability. Did you feel any professional repercussions for seeking help?
Dr. Dhaval Desai: There’s definitely a stigma around it. Many physicians are afraid to seek help because they worry it will affect their career or reputation. I knew I needed to do something, and that’s one of the reasons I wrote this book—to help destigmatize mental health in the healthcare community. I found out that around 400 physicians die by suicide each year, which is a staggering number. Dr. Lorna Breen’s family started a foundation to address this, and all of my book’s proceeds are going to that foundation to help promote mental health support for healthcare workers.
Ira Sternberg: That’s very noble of you. The medical field often discourages admitting any vulnerability. What kind of reaction have you seen from colleagues when you’ve spoken about this?
Dr. Dhaval Desai: When I held a campaign for National Physician Suicide Awareness Day, I got mixed reactions. About 60% of colleagues were supportive, but 40% were uncomfortable. Some older physicians said things like, “I’ve been in surgery for 35 years, and I don’t need this.” That resistance shows how much work still needs to be done in normalizing these conversations.
Ira Sternberg: Another theme in your book is race. You describe facing assumptions based on your skin condition and your Indian heritage. You call it “systemic racism,” but I wonder if it’s sometimes just people reacting to something unfamiliar—whether it’s skin color, accent, or something else. What do you think?
Dr. Dhaval Desai: You raise an interesting point, Ira. I think it can be a combination of unfamiliarity and underlying biases. As a physician, I’d walk into a room and see patients reacting to my skin condition or wondering why I didn’t “look Indian.” It’s those assumptions that make interactions harder, especially in the South where tensions are already heightened. My perspective on systemic racism came into focus with the George Floyd incident and everything that followed.
Ira Sternberg: Don’t you think sometimes these reactions are more class-based than racial? People from different socioeconomic backgrounds might have different levels of awareness about health.
Dr. Dhaval Desai: That’s true, but it’s also about assumptions. If I see a patient and assume they don’t know certain things just because they look a certain way, that’s a bias. It’s a sensitive topic, but one we need to keep discussing, especially in healthcare.
Ira Sternberg: Agreed. Shifting back to the book, what was your wife’s reaction to you writing it? Was she supportive?
Dr. Dhaval Desai: She fully supported me, though she didn’t read the book until it was complete. I think some parts were hard for her to relive, but she understood why it was important. Being a physician herself, she’s passionate about mental health in healthcare too, so she got it.
Ira Sternberg: What do you want people to take away from the book? There’s so much in it—family life, mental health, race, the healthcare crisis.
Dr. Dhaval Desai: The main takeaway is that healthcare workers are people too. It’s okay to be vulnerable, and it’s okay to need help. We need to support one another so that we can continue to support our patients. If we don’t take care of our healthcare workforce, we risk losing the system entirely.
Ira Sternberg: When you wrote the book, did you worry that people might not want to revisit the pandemic?
Dr. Dhaval Desai: Yes, that was a real concern. Some people want to forget COVID, but as this becomes more historical, I hope it serves as a record for future healthcare workers. We need to learn from this so that we’re better prepared for the next crisis.
Ira Sternberg: Well, that’s a great way to leave it. My guest has been Dr. Dhaval Desai, author of Burning Out on the COVID Front Lines: A Doctor’s Memoir of Fatherhood, Race, and Perseverance in the Pandemic. It’s published by McFarland and Company, available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all the usual places. For everything about Dr. Desai, go to dhavaldesaimd.com. Dhaval, thank you for being on the show.
Dr. Dhaval Desai: Thanks, Ira.
Ira Sternberg: And join us every Thursday for a new schmear on Ira’s Everything Bagel.
Leave a Reply