Emerging from the pandemic and reflecting on change: public health doctors in Ireland

This study aimed to generate insights into the working lives of Public Health doctors as they worked through a period of immense change relating to their roles within the COVID-19 pandemic and the (long-anticipated) public health reforms that followed.

This study used a qualitative study design.

Using an innovative method of remote ethnography (Mobile Instant Messaging Ethnography), this paper presents the work related reflections of 13 Public Health doctors in Ireland. Participant doctors were recruited to the study via advertising on social media, on the project website and via professional networks. The method involved an online in-depth qualitative interview; a six week conversation with the researcher via WhatsApp and a final online qualitative interview with participants. Data collection was conducted June to August 2023 and the data was analysed using MaxQDA.

The data presented illustrates the significant work-related changes experienced by Public Health doctors (N = 13) in Ireland. These changes related to the introduction of consultant status for Public Health doctors and public health reforms. They also related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated increase in workloads and work intensity experienced by public health doctors in the Irish health system.

While most of the changes were positive, for instance the pandemic-related recognition of the role of Public Health doctors and the subsequent introduction of consultant status, the level of change in a relatively short space of time, was nevertheless significant. As our paper illustrates, the onus is on the employing organizations to recognize the impact of these changes on Public Health doctors and to ensure that their employees feel valued and heard at all times, particularly during times of significant change. To achieve this, employers should invest in research-informed interventions to improve psychological safety and team culture for public health doctors within the new organisational structures.