Experience of Frontline Clinicians Fighting against COVID-19: a Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 is characterized by a long incubation period, high contagion and general susceptibility. Due to lack of specific preventive measures and targeted drugs, it brings great panic to the society. All regions across China launched first-level responses to this public health emergency. Medical workers in the county stick to their post to save patients, among them frontline clinicians fighting against COVID-19 have great pressure caused by excess workload with a high risk of infection, whose psychological status should be concerned and intervened by relevant departments. Moreover, the survey of their psychological status may also provide a basis for the improvement of emergency plan and public health management. Objective: To investigate the experience and feelings of frontline clinicians fighting against COVID-19, providing a reference for the delivery of corresponding psychological intervention for this group and for epidemic control and prevention. Methods: A qualitative study using in-depth individual interviews and a phenomenology method was implemented between February 1 and 7, 2020.Participants were frontline clinicians fighting against COVID-19 from hospitals in some cities or provinces, China. The Colaizzi's method was adopted to analyze the interview results: and extract themes. Results Six themes were extracted complex and diverse feelings (fear of infection, panic caused by the epidemic, anger and helplessness induced by noncooperation of some patients and residents, and self-accusation caused by non-efficient life saving efforts ), insufficient clinical experience, high work pressure, being disrespected and misunderstood by some patients and residents, sense of responsibility and duty to heal the wounded and rescue the dying, and insufficient self-protective materials. Conclusion In view of the feelings(fear of infection, panic caused by the epidemic, great work pressure and being disrespected and misunderstood by some patients and residents, and so on) of frontline clinicians fighting against COVID-19, administrative departments of hospitals should provide them with appropriate psychological guidance, humanistic care and sufficient self-protection materials, as well as intensive education on professional knowledge and emergency management of this disease. Copyright © 2020 by the Chinese General Practice.