COVID-19 Mortality among Iranian Physicians: Occupational Hazards and Systemic Vulnerabilities

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic severely strained global healthcare systems, with frontline healthcare workers facing heightened risks. Iranian physicians encountered unique challenges, including resource limitations and systemic vulnerabilities, potentially contributing to elevated mortality rates within this professional group. This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 related mortality among Iranian physicians.
Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using data from Iran's national COVID-19 registry spanning December 2019 to December 2021. Supplementary data, including demographic, clinical, and healthcare utilization information, were collected from families of deceased physicians via structured checklists. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses were performed to characterize mortality patterns.
Results: Out of 1,086,258 registered COVID-19 cases, 80 physician deaths were documented. Mortality was geographically concentrated in Tehran, Mazandaran, and Kermanshah provinces. The mean age of deceased physicians was 59.4 ± 16.2 years. Respiratory symptoms were common, while pre-existing comorbidities were less frequent than expected. A significant proportion (67.4%) of physician deaths occurred without ICU admission or mechanical ventilation.
Conclusion: COVID-19 related mortality among Iranian physicians was significantly impacted by regional disparities, older age, and likely occupational hazards and systemic healthcare limitations. The elevated mortality rate compared to global figures points to potential resource constraints and healthcare system strain in Iran. These findings emphasize the critical need for strengthened healthcare infrastructure, improved resource allocation, and enhanced protective measures for healthcare workers to mitigate future mortality risks and improve pandemic preparedness in Iran.