A Qualitative Study of Health Workers' Experiences During Early Surges in the Covid-19 Pandemic in the U.S

Implications for Ongoing Occupational Health Challenges

Bibliographic Data

ID22067987
AuthorsSarah L Goff (0000-0003-2005-1369, University of Massachusetts Amherst, corresponding author), Kate Wallace (0000-0002-8088-0508, University of Massachusetts Amherst), Natalia Putnam, Natalia I Putnam (University of Massachusetts Amherst), Meghan Fernandes (University of Massachusetts Amherst), Eva Chow (University of Massachusetts Amherst), Marisa C DaCosta (University of Massachusetts Amherst), Marisa DaCosta, Kelsey Clary (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
Year2022
Volume10
Issue1
Pages780711-780711
Publication date2022-03-15
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.780711
PMID35392468
OpenAlexW4220985478
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited31

Background: Health workers (HWs) have faced significant threats to physical and psychological health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent surges associated with the spread of the delta variant in the U.S., coupled with political resistance to effective public health mitigation strategies, indicate that the risks experienced early in the pandemic are not likely to abate soon. This study sought to better understand the experiences, thoughts, concerns, and recommendations of HWs during one of the first major surges in the U.S. and to explore how these experiences might inform efforts to mitigate potential ongoing COVID-related negative health and psychological impacts on HWs. Methods: HWs were recruited using a multi-faceted approach tailored to public health mitigation guidelines. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via video conference with front line HWs, support staff, and opioid use disorder service organization providers between April 1 and July 9, 2020 using the Social-Ecological Model as a framework. Interviews were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed; transcripts were analyzed inductively and deductively using thematic analytic methods, generating major themes and subthemes. Results: A total of 22 HWs participated in the study; 14 were female; 3 identified as a member of a racial or ethnic minority population. Major themes identified included: (1) Institutions, Infrastructure, and the Pandemic; (2) Working Under Fire; (3) The Political Becomes Personal and (4) Hope. Themes and subthemes explicated the ways in which phenomena at personal, interpersonal, community, organizational, and societal levels affected HWs experiences and suggested potential mechanisms through which negative effects on HW mental health and health may be mitigated. Conclusions: Previous global infectious disease epidemics have had profound negative effects on HWs' health and mental health. This study suggests the potential for similar negative impacts that may be exacerbated by the U.S.'s current sociopolitical milieu. Efforts to systematically describe and quantify these effects and to intervene to mitigate them are warranted

Environmental health · Interpersonal communication · Mental health · Occupational safety and health · Pandemic · Population · Psychiatry · Public health · Qualitative research · Sociology · Thematic analysis · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Medicine · Nursing · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Social Psychology

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