[Continued care during and after the Covid-19 pandemic]

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Sociology of Health
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Hospitals faced pre-existing challenges due to managerial strategies and financial austerity.
• These factors created a vulnerable environment for healthcare delivery prior to the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how care workers maintained patient attention amidst systemic weaknesses.
• To understand the role of 'representations of care' in sustaining compassionate healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of care work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Examining the influence of managerialism and austerity on healthcare practices.

Main Results:

• Care workers' commitment transcended systemic deficiencies.
• Mobilizing personal and professional 'representations of care' was key to sustaining patient attention.
• Despite resource limitations, a focus on patient well-being persisted.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare systems must address underlying issues of managerialism and austerity.
• Recognizing and supporting care workers' intrinsic motivations is crucial for resilient healthcare.
• The study highlights the enduring importance of compassionate care in challenging times.