Health care worker mental health and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic: Qualitative perspectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted health care workers (HCWs) and systems. Health care workers are susceptible to psychological and physical impacts from COVID-19, as these individuals work in stressful environments. It is clear that COVID-19 has exacerbated psychological and physical health difficulties for HCWs. In line with evidence-based models for promoting workplace well-being (e.g. Stanford Model of Professional Fulfillment), understanding cultural, systemic, and individual factors exacerbating duress for HCWs is imperative for designing intervention and prevention efforts in health care systems. The current manuscript consists of data from a quality improvement project of qualitative (N = 224) assessments of burnout, coping, and contextual factors contributing to psychological and physical health in HCWs in a large health care system during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental and physical health difficulties experienced by HCWs were evident through qualitative assessments. Despite experiencing mental health problems and physical difficulties, many individuals engaged in self-care practices. Overall, HCWs felt supported by individual units. Health care workers reported that strengthening communication, protecting time off, and being shown appreciation may promote and protect morale. These data inform intervention and policy change efforts in health care systems, particularly prevention and intervention strategies focusing on modification of systems and individual behaviors to enhance psychological well-being in line with evidence-based intervention models.