CONFLICTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN ARMENIA: A STUDY OF MEDICAL FACILITIES

The Covid-19 pandemic represented a profound disruption to the stability of Armenian society. Key areas of public life and social relations were significantly affected. The daily lives of citizens were critically disrupted, and Armenia's healthcare system was burdened with the unforeseen effects of the pandemic. The disease imposed significant challenges on hospitals and medical staff. The crisis environment facilitated the emergence and intensification of conflicts, exacerbating an already difficult situation. Our goal is to identify the root causes, aspects, process, and practices applied in overcoming conflicts within medical institutions of Armenia during the pandemic. In-depth interviews were conducted with chief physicians of Armenian hospitals. The collected material was subjected to thematic analysis. The causes of conflicts have been identified as work and emotional overload, insufficient resources, insufficient reward, organizational contradictions, medical and sanitary norms, parties to conflicts: patients, relatives of patients, other structures, higher instances and coping practices - informal anti-conflict communications adopted by self-organization, adaptation.