Psychological health and wellbeing of primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: a longitudinal qualitative study
Abstract Background Primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) are at the frontline of dealing with viral pandemics. They may experience significant psychological stresses, which have hitherto not been examined in depth. We aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological health and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Primary Care |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01870-0 |
| _version_ | 1817983955686653952 |
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| author | Ee Ming Khoo Adina Abdullah Su May Liew Norita Hussein Nik Sherina Hanafi Ping Yein Lee Khatijah Lim Abdullah Lelamekala Vengidasan Ahmad Ihsan Bin Abu Bakar Hilary Pinnock Tracy Jackson |
| author_facet | Ee Ming Khoo Adina Abdullah Su May Liew Norita Hussein Nik Sherina Hanafi Ping Yein Lee Khatijah Lim Abdullah Lelamekala Vengidasan Ahmad Ihsan Bin Abu Bakar Hilary Pinnock Tracy Jackson |
| author_sort | Ee Ming Khoo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) are at the frontline of dealing with viral pandemics. They may experience significant psychological stresses, which have hitherto not been examined in depth. We aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological health and wellbeing of frontline PHCWs in Malaysia. Method We purposively recruited PHCWs with diverse backgrounds in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Using longitudinal qualitative methods, we conducted two sequential semi-structured telephone interviews, 3 to 4 weeks apart, to capture different stages of the pandemic. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically. Result Twenty-one PHCWs participated yielding a total of forty-two interviews. Themes clustered around stressors associated with work, home, and leisure activities, emotional changes, and modifying factors. In the first interviews, COVID-19 had just started in Malaysia. Participants expressed fear about the actual and perceived personal risk of COVID-19 infection. Most were worried about transmitting COVID-19 to their family members. Some felt stigmatized because of this perceived risk of infection. By the second interviews, participants felt safer, but instead focused on the need to keep other people safe. Participants’ emotions were influenced by their perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 infection. Internal factors such as religion enabled them to manage their concerns and develop personal coping strategies. Support from family members, colleagues, and employers promoted wellbeing during the pandemic. Training sessions, daily roll calls, and psychological support services were important in maintaining their psychological health and wellbeing. Many participants were hopeful and believed normalcy would return by the end of 2020. Conclusion PHCW’s psychological health and wellbeing evolved throughout the early stages of the pandemic and were influenced by their perceived risk of contracting the disease and personal belief structures. Clear updates on the disease and strategies for keeping safe at work and socially are essential to maintaining PHCWs’ psychological health and wellbeing. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:38:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2b912dd899f0438686d7009d2387126d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2731-4553 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:38:43Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Primary Care |
| spelling | doaj.art-2b912dd899f0438686d7009d2387126d2022-12-22T02:24:36ZengBMCBMC Primary Care2731-45532022-10-0123111010.1186/s12875-022-01870-0Psychological health and wellbeing of primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: a longitudinal qualitative studyEe Ming Khoo0Adina Abdullah1Su May Liew2Norita Hussein3Nik Sherina Hanafi4Ping Yein Lee5Khatijah Lim Abdullah6Lelamekala Vengidasan7Ahmad Ihsan Bin Abu Bakar8Hilary Pinnock9Tracy Jackson10Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti MalayaDepartment of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti MalayaDepartment of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti MalayaDepartment of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti MalayaDepartment of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti MalayaFaculty of Medicine, UMeHealth Unit, Universiti MalayaDepartment of Nursing School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway UniversityDepartment of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti MalayaDepartment of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti MalayaNIHR Global Health Research Unit On Respiratory Health, University of EdinburghNIHR Global Health Research Unit On Respiratory Health, University of EdinburghAbstract Background Primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) are at the frontline of dealing with viral pandemics. They may experience significant psychological stresses, which have hitherto not been examined in depth. We aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological health and wellbeing of frontline PHCWs in Malaysia. Method We purposively recruited PHCWs with diverse backgrounds in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Using longitudinal qualitative methods, we conducted two sequential semi-structured telephone interviews, 3 to 4 weeks apart, to capture different stages of the pandemic. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically. Result Twenty-one PHCWs participated yielding a total of forty-two interviews. Themes clustered around stressors associated with work, home, and leisure activities, emotional changes, and modifying factors. In the first interviews, COVID-19 had just started in Malaysia. Participants expressed fear about the actual and perceived personal risk of COVID-19 infection. Most were worried about transmitting COVID-19 to their family members. Some felt stigmatized because of this perceived risk of infection. By the second interviews, participants felt safer, but instead focused on the need to keep other people safe. Participants’ emotions were influenced by their perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 infection. Internal factors such as religion enabled them to manage their concerns and develop personal coping strategies. Support from family members, colleagues, and employers promoted wellbeing during the pandemic. Training sessions, daily roll calls, and psychological support services were important in maintaining their psychological health and wellbeing. Many participants were hopeful and believed normalcy would return by the end of 2020. Conclusion PHCW’s psychological health and wellbeing evolved throughout the early stages of the pandemic and were influenced by their perceived risk of contracting the disease and personal belief structures. Clear updates on the disease and strategies for keeping safe at work and socially are essential to maintaining PHCWs’ psychological health and wellbeing.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01870-0COVID-19Healthcare workersLongitudinal qualitative studyPrimary carePsychological impact |
| spellingShingle | Ee Ming Khoo Adina Abdullah Su May Liew Norita Hussein Nik Sherina Hanafi Ping Yein Lee Khatijah Lim Abdullah Lelamekala Vengidasan Ahmad Ihsan Bin Abu Bakar Hilary Pinnock Tracy Jackson Psychological health and wellbeing of primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: a longitudinal qualitative study BMC Primary Care COVID-19 Healthcare workers Longitudinal qualitative study Primary care Psychological impact |
| title | Psychological health and wellbeing of primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: a longitudinal qualitative study |
| title_full | Psychological health and wellbeing of primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: a longitudinal qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Psychological health and wellbeing of primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: a longitudinal qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychological health and wellbeing of primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: a longitudinal qualitative study |
| title_short | Psychological health and wellbeing of primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: a longitudinal qualitative study |
| title_sort | psychological health and wellbeing of primary healthcare workers during covid 19 pandemic in malaysia a longitudinal qualitative study |
| topic | COVID-19 Healthcare workers Longitudinal qualitative study Primary care Psychological impact |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01870-0 |
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