Vulnerability, loss, and coping experiences of health care workers and first responders during the covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
INTRODUCTION. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic substantially affects health care workers from multiple disciplines, including nurses, physicians, therapists, and first responders. The aims of this study were to 1) explore and describe the experiences of health care workers and first responders working...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2022-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2066254 |
| _version_ | 1797960639078989824 |
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| author | Suzanne C. Smeltzer Linda Carman Copel Patricia K. Bradley Linda Tina Maldonado Christine D. Byrne Jennifer Dean Durning Donna Sullivan Havens Heather Brom Janell L. Mensinger Jennifer Yost |
| author_facet | Suzanne C. Smeltzer Linda Carman Copel Patricia K. Bradley Linda Tina Maldonado Christine D. Byrne Jennifer Dean Durning Donna Sullivan Havens Heather Brom Janell L. Mensinger Jennifer Yost |
| author_sort | Suzanne C. Smeltzer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | INTRODUCTION. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic substantially affects health care workers from multiple disciplines, including nurses, physicians, therapists, and first responders. The aims of this study were to 1) explore and describe the experiences of health care workers and first responders working with individuals with COVID-19 infection, and 2) identify the support and strategies that were helpful during their experience.METHODS. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted via online video interviews of 29 health care workers and first responders who agreed to be contacted for an interview. Thematic analysis resulted in three themes and corresponding subthemes.RESULTS. The three overriding themes were 1) experiencing vulnerability, 2) suffering loss and grief, and 3) coping with vulnerability. A sense of vulnerability and high levels of stress were described and affected participants during their professional work as health care workers and first responders as well as their roles in their homes and communities.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION. The findings indicate the need for effective measures to assist health care workers and first responders to minimize the negative consequences of persistent and severe stress and vulnerability as they care for individuals with COVID-19 and their families. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:48:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c10c34a123ce455896129694272b00fe |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1748-2623 1748-2631 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:48:14Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| spelling | doaj.art-c10c34a123ce455896129694272b00fe2023-01-05T12:01:27ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26231748-26312022-12-0117110.1080/17482631.2022.20662542066254Vulnerability, loss, and coping experiences of health care workers and first responders during the covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative studySuzanne C. Smeltzer0Linda Carman Copel1Patricia K. Bradley2Linda Tina Maldonado3Christine D. Byrne4Jennifer Dean Durning5Donna Sullivan Havens6Heather Brom7Janell L. Mensinger8Jennifer Yost9M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova UniversityM. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova UniversityM. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova UniversityM. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova UniversityM. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova UniversityM. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova UniversityM. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova UniversityM. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova UniversityNova Southeastern UniversityM. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova UniversityINTRODUCTION. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic substantially affects health care workers from multiple disciplines, including nurses, physicians, therapists, and first responders. The aims of this study were to 1) explore and describe the experiences of health care workers and first responders working with individuals with COVID-19 infection, and 2) identify the support and strategies that were helpful during their experience.METHODS. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted via online video interviews of 29 health care workers and first responders who agreed to be contacted for an interview. Thematic analysis resulted in three themes and corresponding subthemes.RESULTS. The three overriding themes were 1) experiencing vulnerability, 2) suffering loss and grief, and 3) coping with vulnerability. A sense of vulnerability and high levels of stress were described and affected participants during their professional work as health care workers and first responders as well as their roles in their homes and communities.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION. The findings indicate the need for effective measures to assist health care workers and first responders to minimize the negative consequences of persistent and severe stress and vulnerability as they care for individuals with COVID-19 and their families.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2066254stresslossvulnerabilitycopingwork environmentpandemic |
| spellingShingle | Suzanne C. Smeltzer Linda Carman Copel Patricia K. Bradley Linda Tina Maldonado Christine D. Byrne Jennifer Dean Durning Donna Sullivan Havens Heather Brom Janell L. Mensinger Jennifer Yost Vulnerability, loss, and coping experiences of health care workers and first responders during the covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being stress loss vulnerability coping work environment pandemic |
| title | Vulnerability, loss, and coping experiences of health care workers and first responders during the covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Vulnerability, loss, and coping experiences of health care workers and first responders during the covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Vulnerability, loss, and coping experiences of health care workers and first responders during the covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vulnerability, loss, and coping experiences of health care workers and first responders during the covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Vulnerability, loss, and coping experiences of health care workers and first responders during the covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | vulnerability loss and coping experiences of health care workers and first responders during the covid 19 pandemic a qualitative study |
| topic | stress loss vulnerability coping work environment pandemic |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2066254 |
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