Facing the Unknown: Healthcare Workers’ Concerns, Attitudes and Burnout During the COVID-19 Pandemic - A Mixed Methods Study
Abstract Background: Medical staff, who care for patients at their own risk, are on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. The aim of this study is to describe the feelings and experiences of medical staff working in hospitals during the coronavirus crisis.Methods: Data were collected as part of a mixed-methods study that included an online survey completed by 263 hospital staff members, as well as 10 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with doctors, nurses and medical technicians working on coronavirus wards.Results: The survey findings revealed that respondents expressed extremely high rates of concern for family members and at a national level, but that they were less apprehensive about their own health and safety. At the same time, burnout was lower than the rates of concern. Nurses displayed more apprehension and burnout compared to medical staff in other professional roles. The in-depth interviews reinforced and supplemented the survey findings and deepened our understanding of the feelings of medical staff directly involved in coronavirus patient care.Conclusions: The study’s findings revealed the main concerns of hospital staff during the coronavirus crisis and deepened our understanding of the issues that require systemic attention in order to strengthen the mental resilience of hospital staff, in particular those working on coronavirus wards. The steps required to continue coping with and fighting the virus include the development of a mental and emotional support network for medical staff, to safeguard them and their health as they care for patients, and to provide ongoing psychosocial support.