ABSTRACT
Introduction This study aims to explore perceptions, fears and worries regarding SARS-CoV-2 risk of infection and transmission to relatives and/or co-workers and non-pharmacological preventive interventions among hospital workers. Materials and Methods The research used an explorative qualitative approach. Six focus groups and ten individual interviews across multidisciplinary workers (physicians, nurses, aides, cleaners, maintenance, and security staff) were conducted online and audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis and mixed coding. Results Forty professionals participated in the study. Four common themes emerged in all groups: challenges related to the lack of pandemic preparedness, concerns about personal protective equipment, unclear guidelines for case and contact tracing, and communication-related difficulties. Conclusions This study emphasizes the key recommendations to improve non-pharmacological preventive interventions to reduce workers’ fears and worries about the risk of infection and spreading the infection to others, including families. Above all, these should include ensuring the availability, and correct use of adequate personal protective equipment, improve guidelines on case and contact tracing, and setting effective communication channels for all workers of the organization. These recommendations must be reinforced in maintenance and security personnel, as well as night shift nurses and aides, in order to reduce also health inequalities. Key messages • Lack of pandemic preparedness increased HCW’ fear of infection, which could be reduced by ensuring the availability and good use of proper PPE, and by clear guidelines on case/contact detection. • The improvement on non-pharmacological preventive interventions must be underpinned by effective communication channels and/or communication staff, and should reach all workers in the institution.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic is clearly showing the importance for the surveillance and protection of human health of acting in all settings of life: family, community, education, leisure or work, among others, as well as addressing the multiple determinants that influence the health and well-being of the population: demographic, healthcare, environmental, social, economic, cultural or occupational, among others. With respect to occupational health and the work-related determinants of health, the potential of occupational health services acting at the company level is clear, and could be generalized to almost any public health action setting. This article reflects on the opportunities for coordination between the occupational health system in Spain (including resources from mutual insurance companies, companies themselves and administrations) and the public health system, including both health care (primary care, hospital) and public health services. We examine this in the context of health crises, like the present one, but also with a broader vision, commensurate with the necessary comprehensive care for human health, guaranteeing health as a fundamental and universal right in all life circumstances. To advance along these lines, we propose the incorporation of the "occupational health perspective" in all actions and services of the public healthcare system, especially with respect to public health services under the purview of the health administration.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic is clearly showing the importance for the surveillance and protection of human health of acting in all settings of life: family, community, education, leisure or work, among others, as well as addressing the multiple determinants that influence the health and well-being of the population: demographic, healthcare, environmental, social, eco-nomic, cultural or occupational, among others. With respect to occupational health and the work-related determinants of health, the potential of occupational health services acting at the company level is clear, and could be generalized to almost any public health action setting. This article reflects on the opportunities for coordination between the occupational health system in Spain (including resources from mutual insurance companies, companies themselves and administrations) and the public health system, including both health care (primary care, hospital) and public health services. We examine this in the context of health crises, like the present one, but also with a broader vision, commensurate with the necessary comprehensive care for human health, guaranteeing health as a fundamental and universal right in all life circumstances. To advance along these lines, we propose the incorporation of the "occupational health perspective" in all actions and services of the public healthcare system, especially with respect to public health services under the purview of the health administration.