Experiences in the health services of epidemiologists in training during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Although there is ample scientific evidence on the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on health services from the perspective of healthcare personnel has been little explored. Objective: To explore the experiences in health services of epidemiologists in training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Exploratory, qualitative-descriptive study, with ethnographic research tools for data collection such as observation, field diary and group interview;as well as grounded theory for the construction of categories that allowed to understand the studied phenomenon. For the formation of the focus group, seven epidemiologists in training from a Colombian university participated, with prior informed consent. The topic was introduced, with the subsequent application of the focus group guide tools, consensus posters, response sheets and an observation guide. Results: Hospital collapse and emerging restructuring of health services were generated, promoting other care strategies such as telemedicine. Study participants experienced fear attending patients on stressful days, with shortages of supplies and medicines;they were stigmatized, which generated "anxiety and work stress." However, they learned "to better classify cases" and with the increase in patients they were able to perceive inequities that represented a professional and human challenge. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has been valid as a learning process with new training perspectives to be able to act in the face of health events of global interest, with the necessary application and management of protocols, which can change the focus of health care and allow epidemiology to move towards education, promotion and prevention.