Hospital workers in times of pandemic: singularities, journeys and potential

ABSTRACT

The aim of this experience report is to present singularities, journeys and potential arising from the development and implementation of the Occupational Therapy, Health and Work Program (ProTOST) in a university hospital during the first months of the pandemic. The program was guided by the principles of activity ergonomics and psychodynamics of work and based on the need to build participatory actions. Work reflection groups were created involving 15 hospital sectors and 140 workers. The groups provided staff with spaces for collective listening about work and increased the visibility of efforts and horizontal and vertical recognition processes. In addition, they contributed to the study of work situations, discussions about the transformation of work processes and building strategies to address the challenges faced by the hospital aggravated by the pandemic.