Media Discourse of Community Support for Frontline Healthcare Workers During the First Month of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: The mental health of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) can be challenged and strained during an infectious disease outbreak. Community support, as experienced in past outbreaks, may be helpful in mitigating these psychosocial effects. Examining the current unfolding of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic for new insights, this study sought to understand how community support is represented and perceived as valuable to HCWs in written press media. Methods: Utilizing a media discourse methodology, written news media from the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic was sought for analysis. Included news media consisted of articles discussing community support for HCWs in London, Ontario. Results: A total of forty news articles pertaining to community support for HCWs was collected and analyzed. Forms of community support depicted by press media fell into the categories of acts of solidarity, discounted goods, donations of personal protective equipment, and personal services. The underpinning perceptions of news articles was community support for HCWs had a positive influence on HCWs well-being. Direct discussions with HCWs or representatives of HCW’s in press media only further reinforced this discourse of benefice. Conclusion: This analysis shows that community support for HCWs has been present since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. As this crisis progresses, additional research should be conducted to monitor this discourse media for change in representation of and reception by HCWs.