Psychosocial impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers in India & their perceptions on the way forward - A qualitative study.

Autor: Chakma T; Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India., Thomas BE; Department of Social & Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India., Kohli S; ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi, India., Moral R; Department of Social & Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India., Menon GR; ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi, India., Periyasamy M; Department of Social & Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India., Venkatesh U; Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India., Kulkarni RN; Department of Operational Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India., Prusty RK; Department of Biostatistics, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India., Balu V; Department of Social & Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India., Grover A; ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India., Kishore J; Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India., Viray M; Department of Psychology, Martin Luther Christian University, Meghalaya, India., Venkateswaran C; Department of Psychiatry, Believers Church Medical College, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India., Mathew G; ICMR-Regional Occupational Health Centre-Southern, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India., Ketharam A; Division of Clinical Epidemiology, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India., Balachandar R; Division of Clinical Epidemiology, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India., Singh PK; Division of Preventive Oncology & Population Health, ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention & Research, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India., Jakhar K; Department of Psychiatry, Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India., Singh S; ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention & Research, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India., Devi R; ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, N.E. Region, Dibrugarh, Assam, India., Saha KB; Department of Social Sciences & Ethnomedicine, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India., Barde P; Division of Virology & Zoonotic Diseases, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India., Singh R; Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India., John D; Department of Public Health, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Kochi, Kerala, India., Mishra BK; Department of Clinical Research, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India., Yadav J; ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi, India., Agarwal S; Division of Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India., Rao VV; ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi, India., Panda S; Division of Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: The Indian journal of medical research [Indian J Med Res] 2021 May; Vol. 153 (5&6), pp. 637-648.
DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_2204_21
Abstrakt: Background & Objectives: The healthcare system across the world has been overburdened due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting healthcare workers (HCWs) in different ways. The present study provides an insight into the psychosocial challenges faced by the HCWs related to their work, family and personal well-being and the associated stigmas. Additionally, the coping mechanisms adopted by them and their perceptions on the interventions to address these challenges were also explored.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted between September and December 2020 through in-depth telephonic interviews using an interview guide among 111 HCWs who were involved in COVID-19 management across 10 States in India.
Results: HCWs report major changes in work-life environment that included excessive workload with erratic timings accentuated with the extended duration of inconvenient personal protection equipment usage, periods of quarantine and long durations of separation from family. Family-related issues were manifold; the main challenge being separated from family, the challenge of caregiving, especially for females with infants and children, and fears around infecting family. Stigma from the community and peers fuelled by the fear of infection was manifested through avoidance and rejection. Coping strategies included peer, family support and the positive experiences manifested as appreciation and recognition for their contribution during the pandemic.
Interpretation & Conclusions: The study demonstrates the psychological burden of HCWs engaged with COVID-19 care services. The study findings point to need-based psychosocial interventions at the organizational, societal and individual levels. This includes a conducive working environment involving periodic evaluation of the HCW problems, rotation of workforce by engaging more staff, debunking of false information, community and HCW involvement in COVID sensitization to allay fears and prevent stigma associated with COVID-19 infection/transmission and finally need-based psychological support for them and their families.
Competing Interests: None
Databáze: MEDLINE
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