Frontline healthcare workers' experiences of providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic at a COVID-19 centre in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: A phenomenological study
Curationis
;
45(1): 1-11, 2022. figures, tables
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1377882
ABSTRACT
Background:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a far-reaching, negative impact on healthcare systems worldwide. Healthcare workers play a critical role in the country's healthcare delivery system, as they facilitate a continuum of care and containment of diseases such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Objectives:
The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of healthcare workers who provided care to COVID-19 patients at a central hospital in Zimbabwe.Method:
The researchers used an interpretative phenomenological analysis design. In-depth interviews were conducted virtually with 10 frontline healthcare workers working at a COVID-19 centre in Zimbabwe. Data collection was guided by an interview guide. All audio-recorded interview data were transcribed verbatim into written text. Data analysis was conducted using an interpretative phenomenological analysis framework. An expert in qualitative research acted as an independent co-coder and conducted the open coding of each transcript.Results:
Findings reveal inadequate preparation and training of healthcare providers before the commencement of duty, resources-related challenges and a lack of support as significant experiences of healthcare providers. Moreover, healthcare providers have been subjected to stigma and discrimination attached to COVID-19, resulting in psychological effects on frontline healthcare providers.Conclusion:
The COVID-19 pandemic brings unique and challenging experiences for frontline healthcare workers, resulting in a physically and emotionally drained workforce. This study calls for comprehensive support in the form of counselling, reasonable work schedules, training and adequate provision of personal protective equipment.
Full text:
Available
Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Infection Control
/
Delivery of Health Care
/
Diagnosis
/
Disease Prevention
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Qualitative research
Language:
English
Journal:
Curationis
Year:
2022
Type:
Article
Institution/Affiliation country:
College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe/ZW
/
Department of Graduate Studies and Research, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa/ZA
/
Department of HIV Services, Population Solutions for Health/ZW
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