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Experience of physicians during COVID-19 in a developing country: a qualitative study of Pakistan
Wajiha Haq1, Fareyha Said2, Sidrah Batool3
1School of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. dr.wajihahaq@s3h.nust.edu.pk.
Insights
Physicians in Pakistan faced significant physical and psychological stress treating COVID-19 patients due to limited resources and infrastructural flaws. This highlights the need for improved support and policies for frontline healthcare workers in developing nations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- The rapid spread of COVID-19 presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally.
- Physicians, as frontline workers, experienced unique stressors including resource limitations and altered working conditions.
- Understanding the specific experiences of physicians in developing countries like Pakistan is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the lived experiences of physicians treating COVID-19 patients in Pakistan.
- To identify the physical, psychological, and infrastructural challenges faced by these frontline healthcare workers.
- To inform policy recommendations for supporting physicians in Pakistan and similar developing countries.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research design utilizing Haas's adaptation of the Colaizzi method for data analysis.
- Purposive sampling of physicians actively treating COVID-19 patients in Lahore, Pakistan.
- In-depth interviews were conducted to gather rich experiential data.
Main Results:
- Physicians reported substantial physical and psychological stress directly related to COVID-19 patient care.
- Infrastructural deficiencies within healthcare facilities exacerbated the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by physicians.
- The study underscores the heightened difficulties encountered by healthcare professionals in resource-limited settings.
Conclusions:
- Physicians in Pakistan experienced severe stress and faced significant obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Addressing infrastructural flaws and providing adequate resources are essential to mitigate physician burnout.
- Policymakers should implement targeted strategies to support the physical and mental well-being of frontline healthcare workers.
Abstract:
COVID-19 spread rapidly and jeopardised the physicians with not only treatment but also with limited resources and new working style. This study aimed to investigate the experience of physicians in Pakistan as frontline workers for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The study employed a qualitative design and used Haas's adaptation of Colaizzi method for analysis. The respondents for the interview were selected based on purposive sampling and only those physicians were contacted who were treating COVID-19 patients in Lahore, Pakistan. The results of the study revealed many challenges faced by Pakistani physicians which included physical and psychological stress due to the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Moreover, infrastructural flaws have added in the vulnerabilities of the physicians. In developing countries, the fight is much harder for physicians as evidenced by their first-hand experience. The policymakers in developing countries especially in Pakistan can direct policies facilitating physicians to reduce their physical and psychological stress as well as increasing resources for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
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