ABSTRACT
IntroductionHealthcare workers are experiencing deterioration in their mental health due to COVID-19. Ethnic minority populations in the United Kingdom are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, with a higher death rate and poorer physical and mental health outcomes. It is important that healthcare organisations consider the specific context and mental, as well as physical, health needs of an ethnically diverse healthcare workforce in order to better support them during, and after, the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsWe undertook a qualitative work package as part of the United Kingdom Research study into Ethnicity and COVID-19 outcomes among healthcare workers (UK-REACH). As part of the qualitative research, we conducted focus group discussions with healthcare workers between December 2020 and July 2021, and covered topics such as their experiences, fears and concerns, and perceptions about safety and protection, while working during the pandemic. The purposive sample included ancillary health workers, doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals from diverse ethnic backgrounds. We conducted discussions using Microsoft Teams. Recordings were transcribed and thematically analysed. FindingsWe carried out 16 focus groups with a total of 61 participants. Several factors were identified which contributed to, and potentially exacerbated, the poor mental health of ethnic minority healthcare workers during this period including anxiety (due to inconsistent protocols and policy); fear (of infection); trauma (due to increased exposure to severe illness and death); guilt (of potentially infecting loved ones); and stress (due to longer working hours and increased workload). ConclusionCOVID-19 has affected the mental health of healthcare workers. We identified a number of factors which may be contributing to a deterioration in mental health across diverse ethnic groups. Healthcare organisations should consider developing strategies to counter the negative impact of these factors. This paper will help employers of healthcare workers and other relevant policy makers better understand the wider implications and potential risks of COVID-19 and assist in developing strategies to safeguard the mental health of these healthcare workers going forward, and reduce ethnic disparities. Key messagesO_ST_ABSWhat is already known about this subjectC_ST_ABSO_LIHealthcare Workers (HCWs) are experiencing deterioration of their mental health due to COVID-19 C_LIO_LIEthnic minority populations and HCWs are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 C_LIO_LIMore research is needed on the specific factors influencing the mental health of ethnically diverse healthcare workforces C_LI What are the new findingsProminent factors influencing the mental health and emotional wellbeing of this population include: O_LIanxiety (due to inconsistent protocols and policy) C_LIO_LIfear (of infection) C_LIO_LItrauma (due to increased exposure to severe illness and death) C_LIO_LIguilt (of potentially infecting loved ones) C_LIO_LIstress (due to longer working hours and increased workload) C_LI How might this impact on policy or clinical practice in the foreseeable futureO_LIHealthcare organisations should consider the specific circumstances of these staff and develop strategies to counter the negative impact of these factors and help safeguard the mental health of their staff C_LI
