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Individual and working experiences of healthcare workers infected with COVID-19: A qualitative study
Mahboobeh Shali1, Amir Hossein Behnoush2, Enayat A Shabani3
1Critical Care Nursing and Nursing Management Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Healthcare workers (HCWs) faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their experiences highlight the critical need for support and protection to ensure continued quality patient care during crises.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Public Health
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted healthcare workers (HCWs), leading to widespread illness.
- HCWs are at the forefront of patient care, especially during global health crises.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the experiences of HCWs at Tehran University of Medical Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To understand the challenges and needs of HCWs in Iran.
Main Methods:
- Conventional qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews.
- 26 HCWs (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists) were purposefully selected.
- Data collected from April 2020 to January 2021 and analyzed using MAXQDA 12.
Main Results:
- Analysis yielded three main themes: "support," "control," and "improvement."
- Eight subthemes were identified, providing deeper insights into HCW experiences.
- 364 initial codes were generated from the qualitative data.
Conclusions:
- Sustaining quality patient care during crises is impossible without adequate support and health maintenance for HCWs.
- Institutional, national, and international measures are essential for HCW protection.
- Prioritizing HCW well-being is crucial for healthcare system resilience.
Introduction:
The major burden of the COVID-19 pandemic has been mainly on healthcare workers (HCWs) and as a result many of them have been afflicted with the disease thus far.
Purpose:
The present study was an effort to investigate Tehran University of Medical Sciences HCWs' experiences of COVID-19 during the pandemic in Tehran, Iran.
Methods:
This study is essentially a conventional qualitative content analysis. Twenty-six HCWs (including 7 physicians, 16 nurses, and 3 physiotherapists) were purposefully selected to participate in the study. The data were collected from April 2020 to January 2021 through semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The interviews were transcribed and then analyzed based on the Graneheim and Lundman method using MAXQDA 12.
Results:
Based on the qualitative content analysis which resulted in 364 initial codes, three themes and eight subthemes were extracted. The extracted themes were "support," "control," and "improvement."
Conclusions:
HCWs are in close contact with COVID-19 patients as part of their professional careers and the provision of quality patient care in times of crises is unattainable unless HCWs enjoy support and their own health is maintained. Making institutional, national, and international preparations for their protection is an obligation.
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