Stress experiences of healthcare assistants in family practice at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic

A mixed methods study

Bibliographic Data

ID22067993
AuthorsHanna Schrader (Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, corresponding author), Jessica Ruck, Jessica M Ruck (0000-0002-5749-5505, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, corresponding author), Gábor Borgulya (0000-0001-6396-6126, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg), Sandra Parisi (0000-0003-2029-3659, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg), Jana Ehlers-Mondorf (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel), Hanna Kaduszkiewicz (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel), Stefanie Joos (0000-0002-5810-529X), Anna Grau (University of Würzburg), Klaus Linde (0000-0002-2902-970X), Ildikó Gágyor (0000-0002-7974-7603, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg)
Year2023
Volume11
Pages1238144-1238144
Publication date2023-09-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2023.1238144
PMID37732100
OpenAlexW4386408694
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited50

Background: At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, healthcare assistants in general practices were confronted with numerous new challenges. The aim of the study was to investigate the stress factors of healthcare assistants in March/April 2020 as well as in the further course of the pandemic in 2020. Methods: From August to December 2020, 6,300 randomly selected healthcare assistants in four German states were invited to participate in the study. We performed a mixed methods design using semi-structured telephone interviews and a cross-sectional survey with quantitative and open questions. The feeling of psychological burden was assessed on a 6-point likert-scale. We defined stress factors and categorized them in patient, non-patient and organizational stress factors. The results of the three data sets were compared within a triangulation protocol. Results: One thousand two hundred seventy-four surveys were analyzed and 28 interviews with 34 healthcare assistants were conducted. Of the participants, 29.5% reported experiences of a very high or high feeling of psychological burden in March/April 2020. Worries about the patients' health and an uncertainty around the new disease were among the patient-related stress factors. Non-patient-related stress factors were problems with the compatibility of work and family, and the fear of infecting relatives with COVID-19. Organizational efforts and dissatisfaction with governmental pandemic management were reported as organizational stress factors. Support from the employer and team cohesion were considered as important resources. Discussion: It is necessary to reduce stress among healthcare assistants by improving their working conditions and to strengthen their resilience to ensure primary healthcare delivery in future health crises

Disease · Family medicine · Feeling · Health care · Likert scale · Pandemic · Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Medicine · Nursing · Nursing Roles and Practices · Psychology · Social Psychology

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