Healthcare providers experience of working during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

Journal: American journal of infection control

Volume: 49

Issue: 5

Year of Publication: 2021

Affiliated Institutions:  Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: eftekharardebili.m@iums.ac.ir. Department of Psychology, School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Electronic address: Naserbakht.m@iums.ac.ir. Department of Psychology, School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Electronic address: Colleen.Bernstein@wits.ac.za. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: alazmani.f@iums.ac.ir. Department of Nursing, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad university, Lahijan, Iran. Electronic address: h.hakimi@liau.ac.ir. Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: Ranjbar.h@iums.ac.ir.

Abstract summary 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching negative impact on healthcare systems worldwide and has placed healthcare providers under immense physiological and psychological pressures.The aim of current study was to undertake an in-depth exploration of the experiences of health-care staff working during the COVID-19 crisis.Using a thematic analysis approach, a qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 97 health care professionals. Participants were health care professionals including pre-hospital emergency services (EMS), physicians, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, radiology technicians, hospital managers and managers in the ministry of health who work directly or indirectly with COVID-19 cases.Data analysis highlighted four main themes, namely: 'Working in the pandemic era', 'Changes in personal life and enhanced negative affect', 'Gaining experience, normalization and adaptation to the pandemic' and 'Mental Health Considerations' which indicated that mental ill deteriorations unfolded through a stage-wise process as the pandemic unfolded.Participants experienced a wide range of emotions and development during the unfolding of the pandemic. Providing mental health aid should thus be an essential part of services for healthcare providers during the pandemic. Based on our results the aid should be focused on the various stages and should be individual-centred. Such interventions are crucial to sustain workers in their ability to cope throughout the duration of the pandemic.

Authors & Co-authors:  Eftekhar Ardebili Mehrdad M Naserbakht Morteza M Bernstein Colleen C Alazmani-Noodeh Farshid F Hakimi Hamideh H Ranjbar Hadi H

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Chen Q, Liang M, Li Y, et al. Mental health care for medical staff in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. Lancet Psychiatry. 2020;7:e15–e16.
Authors :  6
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.10.001
SSN : 1527-3296
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adaptation, Psychological
Other Terms
Adaptation;Health personnel;Mental health;Psychological;Qualitative;Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Country of Study
Mali
Publication Country
United States