ABSTRACT
Introduction In both Australia and Canada, healthcare providers considered essential were allowed to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of the global pandemic on professional identity included opportunities for role expansion, a focus on ethical principles and social accountability, and professional pride. These results were found only for those considered to be essential and do not likely resonate with those classified as non-essential, such as massage therapists, leaving a gap in understanding. Materials and methods This qualitative strand of a sequential explanatory mixed methods study used qualitative description. Individuals who expressed interest were purposefully selected, based on age, gender, type of practice, and experience with the four key phenomena of interest. Data collected through semi-structured interviews was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Member checking enhanced the trustworthiness of the results. Results Thirty-one (16 Australian and 15 Canadian) participants were interviewed. The main theme described was the pandemic paradox. At some point during the pandemic, most participants were labelled by government agencies as a non-essential service. However, participants reported feeling both essential and non-essential. Two subthemes were also described: factors contributing to creating the paradox and consequences of the paradox. Conclusion A number of pre-existing factors around professional identity, such as patient relationships combined with the conditions instituted to manage the COVID-19 pandemic included designating health care services as essential or non-essential, created the paradox experienced by respondents and the subsequent experience of moral distress. Further research into moral distress experienced by massage therapists is needed.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: In late 2019, a pathogen outbreak occurred that rapidly spread, resulting in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. Governments responded to the pandemic with a range of strategies, including forced quarantines and nationwide lockdowns. Research on professional identity during the pandemic has predominately focused on health care providers declared as "essential" rather than "nonessential." In this study, the authors examine the impacts on the professional identity of massage therapists (MTs) who were predominately deemed as nonessential health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: An online, questionnaire-based study sought to answer "In what ways has the professional identity of MTs in Canada and Australia been impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic?" MTs in Canada and Australia were recruited using convenience sampling through e-mail and social media. A questionnaire was developed and pilot tested before implementation. Results: Six hundred and forty-nine MTs participated (329 from Canada and 316 from Australia). Known constructs of professional identity that were affected during the pandemic included not feeling respected as a health care practitioner, feeling less professional than other health care providers, and experiencing burnout. New constructs that may have developed out of the pandemic and the measures established to manage them included being classified as nonessential and feeling a sense of camaraderie and belonging. Conclusions: This study is the first of its kind to report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the professional identity of MTs. The emerging constructs reported will be used to create interview questions for the subsequent qualitative strand of this explanatory mixed-methods study. In the qualitative study, respondents will be invited to share their experiences with their own voice to further the understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MTs' professional identity.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Communicable Disease Control , Humans , Massage , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Approximately one-fifth of pregnant women suffer from anxiety and/or depression. These mental health conditions are associated with increased infant and maternal morbidity. Relaxation massage has the potential to improve mental health and may provide a vaulable option for pregnant women. This paper reports on participants' experiences of partner delivered massage as a technique to manage mild antenatal anxiety. METHODS: We conducted a feasibility study with 44 pregnant women who self-assessed as mildly anxious. The women were randomised into massage therapy (14 women/partner dyads) or to an active control group (13 women). 4-6 weeks after the birth of their baby, massage group participants were invited to be interviewed about their experiences; twelve women and four partners agreed. The qualitative data was analysed using reflective thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four themes emerged from the data; Supporting mental health, Connecting, Useful and adaptable and Making it happen. Partner delivered massage was an accessible and practical method to manage mild anxiety for pregnant women in this study. The massage program also provided useful skills for participants to apply in their lives after the birth of their child, which has the potential to continue to support maternal mental health as well as partner connection. CONCLUSION: Partner delivered massage offers low-cost, accessible option for pregnant women to manage their mild anxiety. These findings have particular relevance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, where anecdotal reports indicate that antenatal stress is increasing and women may have limited access to healthcare services.