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Experiences of redeployed healthcare workers in the fight against COVID-19 in China: A qualitative study.
Li, Houshen; Cui, Yifan; Efstathiou, Nikolaos; Li, Bo; Guo, Ping.
  • Li H; Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery, and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • Cui Y; School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan Province, P.R. China.
  • Efstathiou N; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
  • Li B; School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan Province, P.R. China.
  • Guo P; Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery, and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
PLoS One ; 17(8): e0273429, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2021917
ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

Public health responses were triggered while COVID-19 was spreading. China redeployed healthcare workers to serve the most vulnerable populations and communities in the initial epicentre-Wuhan. However, it is not known how redeployment processes impacted on healthcare workers in a pandemic crisis.

AIMS:

To explore the experiences and needs of frontline healthcare workers who were redeployed to care for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China, and understand the long-term impacts of the redeployment experience on their work and life.

METHODS:

A qualitative study was conducted with redeployed healthcare workers using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. This study is reported in accordance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines.

FINDINGS:

A total of 20 redeployed healthcare workers (13 nurses and seven physicians) participated, and four themes were generated (1) Initial feelings and emotions of redeployment-Participants experienced worries and concerns, a sense of isolation and loneliness on their arrival to the epicentre. (2) 'It is like a war zone'-Healthcare workers faced a range of risks and challenges of caring for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan in the context of resource strain. (3) Uncertainty and coping strategies in patient care-Despite the hardships experienced, participants continued to deliver high-quality patient care including psychological care and palliative care, good communication and building mutual trusting relationships. (4) Reflection and far-reaching impacts of caring for COVID-19 patients-Participants felt motivated and encouraged as efforts were recognised by the government and wider society.

CONCLUSIONS:

Redeployed healthcare workers shared their unique needs and experiences of coping with redeployment and challenges they faced in the context of resource strain, which has significant implications for policy and future practice. The reality of a pandemic may reduce healthcare workers' willingness to work due to various reasons including inadequate preparedness of facilities and workplace safety. It is important to support frontline healthcare workers in order to maintain an adequate healthcare workforce in pandemic crises. Continuously evolving pandemic circumstances and uncertainty highlight the importance of an organized national pandemic response plan for subsequent waves of COVID-19 and future pandemics.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0273429

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0273429