Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of healthcare workers during the first wave of the coronavirus crisis. In a mixed-methods study, data were collected through an online survey completed by 263 hospital staff members, as well as 10 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with physicians, nurses, and medical technologists working on coronavirus wards. Respondents expressed extremely high levels of concern for family members, but they were less apprehensive about their own health and safety. Nurses displayed more apprehension and burnout compared to healthcare workers in other professional roles. The in-depth interviews reinforced and supplemented the survey findings and deepened our understanding of the experience of healthcare workers directly involved in the first wave of coronavirus patient care. The findings of this study illuminate the main concerns of hospital staff during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and deepen our understanding of issues that require systemic attention in order to strengthen mental resilience among hospital staff. The steps required to continue fighting the virus include the development of a mental and emotional support network for healthcare workers to safeguard them and their health, as they care for patients, and to provide ongoing psychosocial support. As later waves of COVID-19 continued, these recommendations are even more pertinent.
Highlights
As of mid-May 2021, the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 166 million people worldwide and has caused the deaths of more than 3.5 million people through the disease it causes, COVID-19
Expressing feelings of gratitude and empathy towards healthcare workers is critical during this period, since it helps mitigate their concerns around providing treatment under difficult and extraordinary circumstances [16]
Health services management need a good understanding of concerns felt by healthcare workers, and what drives those concerns
Summary
As of mid-May 2021, the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 166 million people worldwide and has caused the deaths of more than 3.5 million people through the disease it causes, COVID-19. In Israel, over 839,000 people have been infected with the virus [1]. The spread of the coronavirus presents difficult and complex challenges for healthcare systems, with various medical teams on the frontlines fighting the virus and its associated outcomes. Reports from around the world have revealed that thousands of healthcare workers in hospitals across Europe have been infected with coronavirus and many died. April 2020 during the first wave, more than 12,000 healthcare workers were infected with the virus, 105 of whom have died, growing to more than 95,000 infected and 198 deaths as of 5 January 2021 [2]. It is possible that the true numbers of infections are higher than reported since many healthcare workers have not been tested [3]. In Israel, more than 2000 healthcare workers have been infected [1]
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