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Kraege V, Gavin A, Norambuena J, Stiefel F, Méan M, Bourquin C. Core stories of physicians on a Swiss internal medicine ward during the first COVID-19 wave: a qualitative exploration. Swiss Med Wkly 2024; 154:3760. [PMID: 38642026 DOI: 10.57187/s.3760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The first COVID-19 wave (2020), W1, will remain extraordinary due to its novelty and the uncertainty on how to handle the pandemic. To understand what physicians went through, we collected narratives of frontline physicians working in a Swiss university hospital during W1. METHODS Physicians in the Division of Internal Medicine of Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) were invited to send anonymous narratives to an online platform, between 28 April and 30 June 2020. The analysed material consisted of 13 written texts and one audio record. They were examined by means of a narrative analysis based on a holistic content approach, attempting to identify narrative highlights, referred to as foci, in the texts. RESULTS Five main foci were identified: danger and threats, acquisition of knowledge and practices, adaptation to a changing context, commitment to the profession, and sense of belonging to the medical staff. In physicians' narratives, danger designated a variety of rather negative feelings and emotions, whereas threats were experienced as being dangerous for others, but also for oneself. The acquisition of knowledge and practices focus referred to the different types of acquisition that took place during W1. The narratives that focused on adaptation reflected how physicians coped with W1 and private or professional upheavals. COVID-19 W1 contributed to revealing a natural commitment (or not) of physicians towards the profession and patients, accompanied by the concern of offering the best possible care to all. Lastly, sense of belonging referred to the team and its reconfiguration during W1. CONCLUSIONS Our study deepens the understanding of how physicians experienced the pandemic both in their professional and personal settings. It offers insights into how they prepared and reacted to a pandemic. The foci reflect topics that are inherent to a physician's profession, whatever the context. During a pandemic, these foundational elements are particularly challenged. Strikingly, these topics are not studied in medical school, thus raising the general question of how students are prepared for the medical profession.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Kraege
- Division of Internal medicine, Medical Directorate and Innovation and Clinical Research Directorate, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Amaelle Gavin
- Psychiatric Liaison Service, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julieta Norambuena
- Division of Internal medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne,Switzerland
| | - Friedrich Stiefel
- Psychiatric Liaison Service, Lausanne University Hospital, and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marie Méan
- Division of Internal medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Céline Bourquin
- Psychiatric Liaison Service, Lausanne University Hospital, and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Manes MR, Burnfield JM, Boersma K, Peoples J, Davis A, Beneciuk JM, Bialosky J, Jordan K, Osborne R. Virtual Rehabilitation and COVID-19: Varied Adoption and Satisfaction Among Patients and Providers Participating in a Multi-Site Survey Study. INQUIRY : A JOURNAL OF MEDICAL CARE ORGANIZATION, PROVISION AND FINANCING 2024; 61:469580231222334. [PMID: 38166514 PMCID: PMC10768633 DOI: 10.1177/00469580231222334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic compelled rapid healthcare adaptations including increased use of telehealth (TH) and virtual care (VC) to provide rehabilitation services. This multi-site cross-sectional survey study examined rehabilitation patients' and providers' experiences with service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the use of TH/VC. Patients and providers who received or provided rehabilitation services were recruited from 1 of 3 large, post-acute rehabilitation systems located in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants rated personal satisfaction with rehabilitation services received or rendered during the pandemic and willingness to use TH/VC in the future. Questions also addressed accessibility, ease of use, and perceived barriers to TH/VC use. The adoption and personal satisfaction of TH/VC for rehabilitation care varied between patients and providers. Patients reported higher levels of satisfaction compared to providers (P < .001). Patients who did not use TH/VC had higher satisfaction than those who did (P < .05). Patients were less willing than providers to use TH/VC (P < .001). Those who used TH/VC prior to the pandemic were more willing to use post-pandemic (P < .001). Patients reported TH/VC was useful in increasing health services accessibility yet were neutral as to the ability of TH/VC to improve outcomes. Patients and providers agreed that TH/VC was easy to learn and use. Medical providers found TH/VC more useful than therapy providers. Participants who used TH/VC during the pandemic are more willing to use the service again in the future. Understanding patient and provider preferences and perspectives is key to the continued use of TH/VC in rehabilitation care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mindi R. Manes
- Brooks Rehabilitation, Brooks Center for Research Analytics and Outcomes, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Judith M. Burnfield
- Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, Institute for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Kelsey Boersma
- Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Jason Peoples
- Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Anita Davis
- Brooks Rehabilitation, Brooks Clinical Research Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Jason M. Beneciuk
- Brooks Rehabilitation, Brooks Clinical Research Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- University of Florida, Department of Physical Therapy, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Joel Bialosky
- Brooks Rehabilitation, Brooks Clinical Research Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- University of Florida, Department of Physical Therapy, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Katelyn Jordan
- Brooks Rehabilitation, Brooks Clinical Research Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Raine Osborne
- Brooks Rehabilitation, Brooks Clinical Research Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- University of North Florida, Department of Physical Therapy, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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Ishizaki S, Jindai K, Saito H, Oshitani H, Kulstad Gonzalez T. Patient Admission and Mechanical Ventilator Allocation Decision-Making Processes by Frontline Medical Professionals in a Japanese ICU During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 33:1291-1304. [PMID: 37846588 PMCID: PMC10666510 DOI: 10.1177/10497323231201026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to triage COVID-19 patients in ICUs emerged globally. Triage guidelines were established in many countries; however, the actual triage decision-making processes and decisions themselves made by frontline medical providers may not have exactly reflected those guidelines. Despite the need to understand decisions and processes in practice regarding patient ICU admission and mechanical ventilator usage to identify areas of improvement for medical care provision, such research is limited. This qualitative study was conducted to identify the decision-making processes regarding COVID-19 patient ICU admissions and mechanical ventilator allocation by frontline medical providers and issues associated with those processes in an ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with ICU physicians and nurses working at an urban tertiary referral hospital in Japan between February and April 2022. Patient characteristics that influenced triage decisions made by physicians and the interaction between physicians, nurses, and senior management staff upon making such decisions are discussed in this article. An implicated issue was the lack of legal support for Japanese physicians to practice withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments even during emergencies. Another issue was the impact of non-clinical forces-likely specific to health emergencies-on physicians' decisions regarding mechanical ventilator allocation, where such forces imposed a significant mental burden on the medical providers. We consider public policy and legal implications for future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakura Ishizaki
- Department of Anthropology, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA, USA
| | - Kazuaki Jindai
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroki Saito
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Oshitani
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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Lackman Zeman L, Roy S, Surnis PP, Wasserman JA, Duchak K, Homayouni R, Mulhem E. Paradoxical experiences of healthcare workers during COVID-19: a qualitative analysis of anonymous, web-based, audio narratives. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2023; 18:2184034. [PMID: 36861313 PMCID: PMC9987722 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2023.2184034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To gain a deeper understanding of healthcare workers experiences during COVID-19 using an anonymous, web-based, audio narrative platform. METHODS Data were collected from healthcare workers in the midwestern United States using a web-enabled audio diary approach. Participant recordings were analysed using a narrative coding and conceptualization process derived from grounded theory coding techniques. RESULTS Fifteen healthcare workers, in direct patient care or non-patient care roles, submitted 18 audio narratives. Two paradoxical themes emerged: 1) A paradox of distress and meaningfulness, where a harsh work environment resulted in psychological distress while simultaneously resulting in new rewarding experiences, sense of purpose and positive outlooks. 2) A paradox of social isolation and connection, where despite extreme isolation, healthcare workers formed intense and meaningful interpersonal connections with patients and colleagues in new ways. CONCLUSIONS A web-enabled audio diary approach provided an opportunity for healthcare workers to reflect deeper on their experiences without investigator influence, which led to some unique findings. Paradoxically, amid social isolation and extreme distress, a sense of value, meaning and rewarding human connections emerged. These findings suggest that interventions addressing healthcare worker burnout and distress might be enhanced by leveraging naturally occurring positive experiences as much as mitigating negative ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Lackman Zeman
- Department of Family Medicine, Beaumont Health, Troy, MI, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Sujoy Roy
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Pranjali P. Surnis
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Jason Adam Wasserman
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Kathleen Duchak
- Department of Family Medicine, Beaumont Health, Troy, MI, USA
| | - Ramin Homayouni
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Elie Mulhem
- Department of Family Medicine, Beaumont Health, Troy, MI, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA
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Knutsen Glette M, Ludlow K, Wiig S, Bates DW, Austin EE. Resilience perspective on healthcare professionals' adaptations to changes and challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic: a meta-synthesis. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071828. [PMID: 37730402 PMCID: PMC10514639 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-071828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify, review and synthesise qualitative literature on healthcare professionals' adaptations to changes and challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN Systematic review with meta-synthesis. DATA SOURCES Academic Search Elite, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Qualitative or mixed-methods studies published between 2019 and 2021 investigating healthcare professionals' adaptations to changes and challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Data were extracted using a predesigned data extraction form that included details about publication (eg, authors, setting, participants, adaptations and outcomes). Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Forty-seven studies were included. A range of adaptations crucial to maintaining healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic were found, including taking on new roles, conducting self and peer education and reorganising workspaces. Triggers for adaptations included unclear workflows, lack of guidelines, increased workload and transition to digital solutions. As challenges arose, many health professionals reported increased collaboration across wards, healthcare teams, hierarchies and healthcare services. CONCLUSION Healthcare professionals demonstrated significant adaptive capacity when faced with challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Several adaptations were identified as beneficial for future organisational healthcare service changes, while others exposed weaknesses in healthcare system designs and capacity, leading to dysfunctional adaptations. Healthcare professionals' experiences working during the COVID-19 pandemic present a unique opportunity to learn how healthcare systems rapidly respond to changes, and how resilient healthcare services can be built globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Knutsen Glette
- SHARE-Center for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Haugesund, Norway
| | - Kristiana Ludlow
- Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland School of Psychology, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Siri Wiig
- SHARE-Center for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - David Westfall Bates
- SHARE-Center for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Austin
- Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Adams GC, Reboe-Benjamin M, Alaverdashvili M, Le T, Adams S. Doctors' Professional and Personal Reflections: A Qualitative Exploration of Physicians' Views and Coping during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5259. [PMID: 37047874 PMCID: PMC10094024 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have examined the risks for anxiety and depression experienced by physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, qualitative studies investigating physicians' views, and their discovered strengths, are lacking. Our research fills this gap by exploring professional and personal reflections developed by physicians from various specialties during the pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with physicians practicing in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, during November 2020-July 2021. Thematic analysis identified core themes and subthemes. Seventeen physicians, including nine males and eight females, from eleven specialties completed the interviews. The pandemic brought to the forefront life's temporality and a new appreciation for life, work, and each other. Most physicians found strength in values, such as gratitude, solidarity, and faith in human potential, to anchor them professionally and personally. A new need for personal fulfilment and hybrid care emerged. Negative feelings of anger, fear, uncertainty, and frustration were due to overwhelming pressures, while feelings of injustice and betrayal were caused by human or system failures. The physicians' appreciation for life and family and their faith in humanity and science were the primary coping strategies used to build adaptation and overcome negative emotions. These reflections are summarized, and implications for prevention and resilience are discussed.
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Parsons Leigh J, Mizen SJ, Moss SJ, Brundin-Mather R, de Grood C, Dodds A, Honarmand K, Shah S, Mehta S. A qualitative descriptive study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on staff in a Canadian intensive care unit. Can J Anaesth 2023; 70:384-394. [PMID: 36627462 PMCID: PMC9831684 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-022-02377-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to explore the lived experiences of a professionally diverse sample of healthcare workers (HCWs) in a single intensive care unit (ICU) serving a large and generalizable Canadian population. We aimed to understand how working during the COVID-19 pandemic affected their professional and personal lives, including their perceptions of institutional support, to inform interventions to ameliorate impacts of the COVID-19 and future pandemics. METHODS In this qualitative descriptive study, 23 ICU HCWs, identified using convenience purposive sampling, took part in individual semistructured interviews between July and November 2020, shortly after the first wave of the pandemic in Ontario. We used inductive thematic analysis to identify major themes. RESULTS We identified five major themes related to the COVID-19 pandemic: 1) communication and informational needs (e.g., challenges communicating policy changes); 2) adjusting to restricted visitation (e.g., spending less time interacting with patients); 3) staffing and workplace supports (e.g., importance of positive team dynamics); 4) permeability of professional and personal lives (e.g., balancing shift work and childcare); and 5) a dynamic COVID-19 landscape (e.g., coping with constant change). The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to HCWs in the ICU experiencing varied negative repercussions on their work environment, including staffing and institutional support, which carried into their personal lives. CONCLUSION Healthcare workers in the ICU perceived that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative repercussions on their work environment, including staffing and institutional support, as well as their professional and personal lives. Understanding both the negative and positive experiences of all ICU HCWs working during the COVID-19 pandemic is critical to future pandemic preparedness. Their perspectives will help to inform the development of mental health and wellbeing interventions to support staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanna Parsons Leigh
- School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, 5850 College Street, Second Floor, 2A01, Office 2A08, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Sara J Mizen
- School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stephana Julia Moss
- The Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Rebecca Brundin-Mather
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Chloe de Grood
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Alexandra Dodds
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kimia Honarmand
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Sumesh Shah
- Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sangeeta Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Kim Y, Shin JM, Yoo SH, Keam B. Challenges in Care for Non-COVID-19 Patients with Severe Chronic Illnesses during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Providers Working around Acute Care Hospitals in South Korea. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:611. [PMID: 36833145 PMCID: PMC9957023 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11040611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 epidemic has afflicted patients with severe chronic illnesses who need continuous care between home and hospitals. This qualitative study examines the experiences and challenges of healthcare providers around acute care hospitals who have cared for patients with severe chronic illness in non-COVID-19 situations during the pandemic. METHODS Eight healthcare providers, who work in various healthcare settings around acute care hospitals and frequently care for non-COVID-19 patients with severe chronic illnesses, were recruited using purposive sampling from September to October 2021 in South Korea. The interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. RESULTS Four overarching themes were identified: (1) deterioration in the quality of care at various settings; (2) new emerging systemic problems; (3) healthcare providers holding on but reaching their limit; and (4) a decline in the quality of life of patients at the end of their lives, and their caregivers. CONCLUSION Healthcare providers of non-COVID-19 patients with severe chronic illnesses reported that the quality of care was declining due to the structural problems of the healthcare system and policies centered solely on the prevention and control of COVID-19. Systematic solutions are needed for appropriate and seamless care for non-infected patients with severe chronic illness in the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yejin Kim
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Mi Shin
- Public Healthcare Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin Hye Yoo
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
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Elliott R, Crowe L, Pollock W, Hammond NE. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on critical care healthcare professionals' work practices and wellbeing: A qualitative study. Aust Crit Care 2023; 36:44-51. [PMID: 36371294 PMCID: PMC9550671 DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Burnout and other psychological comorbidities were evident prior to the COVID-19 pandemic for critical care healthcare professionals (HCPs) who have been at the forefront of the health response. Current research suggests an escalation or worsening of these impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to undertake an in-depth exploration of the impact of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of HCPs working in critical care. METHODS This was a qualitative study using online focus groups (n = 5) with critical care HCPs (n = 31, 7 medical doctors and 24 nurses) in 2021: one with United Kingdom-based participants (n = 11) and four with Australia-based participants (n = 20). Thematic analysis of qualitative data from focus groups was performed using Gibbs framework. FINDINGS Five themes were synthesised: transformation of anxiety and fear throughout the pandemic, the burden of responsibility, moral distress, COVID-19 intruding into all aspects of life, and strategies and factors that sustained wellbeing during the pandemic. Moral distress was a dominant feature, and intrusiveness of the pandemic into all aspects of life was a novel finding. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted critical care HCPs and their work experience and wellbeing. The intrusiveness of the pandemic into all aspects of life was a novel finding. Moral distress was a predominate feature of their experience. Leaders of healthcare organisations should ensure that interventions to improve and maintain the wellbeing of HCPs are implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalind Elliott
- Malcolm Fisher Department of Intensive Care, Royal North Shore Hospital and Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065 Australia; Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Ultimo NSW 2007 Australia.
| | - Liz Crowe
- School of Medicine, Brisbane, The University of Queensland, 20 Weightman Street, Herston QLD 4006 Australia; Queensland Children's Hospital, 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Australia.
| | - Wendy Pollock
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 35 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Northumbria University, Benton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE7 7XA, UK.
| | - Naomi E Hammond
- Malcolm Fisher Department of Intensive Care, Royal North Shore Hospital and Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065 Australia; Critical Care Division, The George Institute for Global Health and University of NSW, Level 5, 1 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042 Australia.
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Harrison M, Rhodes T, Lancaster K. How do care environments shape healthcare? A synthesis of qualitative studies among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063867. [PMID: 36171049 PMCID: PMC9527744 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate how care is shaped through the material practices and spaces of healthcare environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN Critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) of qualitative research. PARTICIPANTS Studies included qualitative research investigating the experiences of healthcare workers involved in the care of individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS 134 articles were identified in the initial sampling frame with 38 studies involving 2507 participants included in the final synthesis. Three themes were identified in the analysis: (1) the hospital transformed, (2) virtual care spaces and (3) objects of care. Through the generation of these themes, a synthesising argument was developed to demonstrate how material spaces and practices of healthcare shape care delivery and to provide insights to support healthcare providers in creating enabling and resilient care environments. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study demonstrate how healthcare environments enable and constrain modes of care. Practices of care are shaped through the materiality of spaces and objects, including how these change in the face of pandemic disruption. The implication is that the healthcare environment needs to be viewed as a critical adaptive element in the optimisation of care. The study also develops a versatile and coherent approach to CIS methods that can be taken up in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Harrison
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tim Rhodes
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kari Lancaster
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Vass WB, Lednicky JA, Shankar SN, Fan ZH, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Wu CY. Viable SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant detected in aerosols in a residential setting with a self-isolating college student with COVID-19. JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE 2022; 165:106038. [PMID: 35774447 PMCID: PMC9217630 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2022.106038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of SARS-CoV-2 emerged in India in October of 2020 and spread widely to over 145 countries, comprising over 99% of genome sequence-confirmed virus in COVID-19 cases of the United States (US) by September 2021. The rise in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant coincided with a return to in-person school attendance, straining COVID-19 mitigation plans implemented by educational institutions. Some plans required sick students to self-isolate off-campus, resulting in an unintended consequence: exposure of co-inhabitants of dwellings used by the sick person during isolation. We assessed air and surface samples collected from the bedroom of a self-isolating university student with mild COVID-19 for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. That virus' RNA was detected by real-time reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (rRT-qPCR) in air samples from both an isolation bedroom and a distal, non-isolation room of the same dwelling. SARS-CoV-2 was detected and viable virus was isolated in cell cultures from aerosol samples as well as from the surface of a mobile phone. Genomic sequencing revealed that the virus was a Delta variant SARS-CoV-2 strain. Taken together, the results of this work confirm the presence of viable SARS-CoV-2 within a residential living space of a person with COVID-19 and show potential for transportation of virus-laden aerosols beyond a designated isolation suite to other areas of a single-family home.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B Vass
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John A Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sripriya Nannu Shankar
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Z Hugh Fan
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | | | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Jacobsson M, Härgestam M, Bååthe F, Hagqvist E. Organizational logics in time of crises: How physicians narrate the healthcare response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Swedish hospitals. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:738. [PMID: 35659289 PMCID: PMC9163901 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08094-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged healthcare organizations and puts focus on risk management in many ways. Both medical staff and leaders at various levels have been forced to find solutions to problems they had not previously encountered. This study aimed to explore how physicians in Sweden narrated the changes in organizational logic in response to the Covid-19 pandemic using neo-institutional theory and discursive psychology. In specific, we aimed to explore how physicians articulated their understanding of if and, in that case, how the organizational logic has changed during this crisis response. METHODS The empirical material stems from interviews with 29 physicians in Sweden in the summer and autumn of 2020. They were asked to reflect on the organizational response to the pandemic focusing on leadership, support, working conditions, and patient care. RESULTS The analysis revealed that the organizational logic in Swedish healthcare changed and that the physicians came in troubled positions as leaders. With management, workload, and risk repertoires, the physicians expressed that the organizational logic, to a large extent, was changed based on local contextual circumstances in the 21 self-governing regions. The organizational logic was being altered based upon how the two powerbases (physicians and managers) were interacting over time. CONCLUSIONS Given that healthcare probably will deal with future unforeseen crises, it seems essential that healthcare leaders discuss what can be a sustainable organizational logic. There should be more explicit regulatory elements about who is responsible for what in similar situations. The normative elements have probably been stretched during the ongoing crisis, given that physicians have gained practical experience and that there is now also, at least some evidence-based knowledge about this particular pandemic. But the question is what knowledge they need in their education when it comes to dealing with new unknown risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritha Jacobsson
- Department of Sociology, Centre for Social Work, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Fredrik Bååthe
- Institute for Studies of the Medical Profession, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Stress Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emma Hagqvist
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Gonçalves A, Williams A, Koulouglioti C, Leckie T, Hunter A, Fitzpatrick D, Richardson A, Hardy B, Venn R, Hodgson L. Surviving severe COVID-19: Interviews with patients, informal carers and health professionals. Nurs Crit Care 2022; 28:80-88. [PMID: 35561020 PMCID: PMC9348004 DOI: 10.1111/nicc.12779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with an unprecedented number of critical care survivors. Their experiences through illness and recovery are likely to be complex, but little is known about how best to support them. AIM This study aimed to explore experiences of illness and recovery from the perspective of survivors, their relatives and professionals involved in their care. STUDY DESIGN In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with three stakeholder groups during the first wave of the pandemic. A total of 23 participants (12 professionals, 6 survivors and 5 relatives) were recruited from 5 acute hospitals in England and interviewed by telephone or video call. Data analysis followed the principles of Reflexive Thematic Analysis. FINDINGS Three themes were generated from their interview data: (1) Deteriorating fast-a downhill journey from symptom onset to critical care; (2) Facing a new virus in a hospital-a remote place; and (3) Returning home as a survivor, maintaining normality and recovering slowly. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight challenges in accessing care and communication between patients, hospital staff and relatives. Following hospital discharge, patients adopted a reframed 'survivor identity' to cope with their experience of illness and slow recovery process. The concept of survivorship in this patient group may be beneficial to promote and explore further. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE All efforts should be made to continue to improve communication between patients, relatives and health professionals during critical care admissions, particularly while hospital visits are restricted. Adapting to life after critical illness may be more challenging while health services are restricted by the impacts of the pandemic. It may be beneficial to promote the concept of survivorship, following admission to critical care due to severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana‐Carolina Gonçalves
- School of SportHealth and Exercise Science, University of PortsmouthPortsmouthUK,Department of Intensive Care medicineUniversity Hospitals SussexWorthingUK
| | - Annabel Williams
- Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social WorkOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
| | | | - Todd Leckie
- Department of Intensive Care medicineUniversity Hospitals SussexWorthingUK
| | - Alexander Hunter
- Department of Intensive Care medicineUniversity Hospitals SussexWorthingUK
| | - Daniel Fitzpatrick
- School of Sport and Health SciencesUniversity of BrightonBrightonUK,General Practice training programmeSt George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Alan Richardson
- School of Sport and Health SciencesUniversity of BrightonBrightonUK
| | - Benjamin Hardy
- Department of Intensive Care medicineUniversity Hospitals SussexWorthingUK
| | - Richard Venn
- Department of Intensive Care medicineUniversity Hospitals SussexWorthingUK
| | - Luke Hodgson
- Department of Intensive Care medicineUniversity Hospitals SussexWorthingUK,School of Biosciences and MedicineUniversity of SurreyGuildfordUK
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14
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Tran J, Willis K, Kay M, Hutt K, Smallwood N. The Workplace and Psychosocial Experiences of Australian Senior Doctors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19053079. [PMID: 35270770 PMCID: PMC8910257 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19053079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had significant mental health impacts among healthcare workers (HCWs), related to resource scarcity, risky work environments, and poor supports. Understanding the unique challenges experienced by senior doctors and identifying strategies for support will assist doctors facing such crises into the future. A cross-sectional, national, online survey was conducted during the second wave of the Australian COVID-19 pandemic. Inductive content analysis was used to examine data reporting workplace and psychosocial impacts of the pandemic. Of 9518 responses, 1083 senior doctors responded to one or more free-text questions. Of the senior doctors, 752 were women and 973 resided in Victoria. Four themes were identified: (1) work-life challenges; (2) poor workplace safety, support, and culture; (3) poor political leadership, planning and support; and (4) media and community responses. Key issues impacting mental health included supporting staff wellbeing, moral injury related to poorer quality patient care, feeling unheard and undervalued within the workplace, and pandemic ill-preparedness. Senior doctors desired better crisis preparedness, HCW representation, greater leadership, and accessible, authentic psychological wellbeing support services from workplace organisations and government. The pandemic has had significant impacts on senior doctors. The sustainability of the healthcare system requires interventions designed to protect workforce wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Tran
- The Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Karen Willis
- Public Health, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Footscray Park, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia;
- Division of Critical Care and Investigative Services, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Margaret Kay
- General Practice Clinical Unit, Level 8 Health Sciences Building, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia;
| | - Kathryn Hutt
- Doctors’ Health Advisory Service, Suite 207, 69 Christie Street, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia;
| | - Natasha Smallwood
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Prahan, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-3-9903-8735
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Hörold M, Drewitz KP, Piel J, Hrudey I, Rohr M, Brunnthaler V, Hasenpusch C, Ulrich A, Otto N, Brandstetter S, Apfelbacher C. Intensive Care Units Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences and Negotiations at the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: A Grounded Theory Study. INQUIRY: THE JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION, PROVISION, AND FINANCING 2022; 59:469580221081059. [PMID: 35522185 PMCID: PMC9082755 DOI: 10.1177/00469580221081059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Faced with the pandemic of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), healthcare professionals (HCPs) in intensive care units (ICU) adjusted their organizational, operational, and personal procedures to ensure care for COVID-19 patients. We used grounded theory approach to explore ICU HCPs' perspectives on professional action at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany from March to July 2020. The study aimed to examine implicit principles on negotiating social practice and interaction of ICU HCPs in an exceptional situation, which was characterized by a high level of changes. We conducted theme-guided qualitative telephone/virtual interviews with 39 ICU HCPs from ten German federal states. The data collection followed the principles of theoretical sampling. We adpoted grounded theory approach proposed by Charmaz and discussed using Lüscher’s theoretical concept of ambivalence. The analysis revealed five interconnected categories about the ICU HCPs’ negotiation of social practice and interaction at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. In this context, a complex field of ambivalence (key category) emerged between habits and routines of a pre-pandemic normality. Pragmatic restructuring processes were initiated, which quickly resulted in a new normality of a “daily routine of preparation”. Dealing with ambivalence offers the potential for change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madlen Hörold
- Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Karl Philipp Drewitz
- Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Julia Piel
- Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Ilona Hrudey
- Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Magdalena Rohr
- University of Regensburg, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sociology, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
- University of Regensburg, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Vreni Brunnthaler
- University of Regensburg, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Sociology, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Claudia Hasenpusch
- Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Angela Ulrich
- Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Niklas Otto
- Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
- University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Susanne Brandstetter
- University of Regensburg, University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO-Clinics), Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Christian Apfelbacher
- Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
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