The mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers during COVID-19 in South Africa.

Autor:	Watermeyer J; Health Communication Research Unit, School of Human and Community Development, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa., Madonsela S; Health Communication Research Unit, School of Human and Community Development, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa., Beukes J; Health Communication Research Unit, School of Human and Community Development, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Health SA = SA Gesondheid [Health SA] 2023 Mar 31; Vol. 28, pp. 2159. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Mar 31 (Print Publication: 2023).
DOI:	10.4102/hsag.v28i0.2159
Abstrakt:	Background: Little is known about the experiences and impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly in Global South contexts. Aim: The authors aimed to explore the experiences of HCWs at different points during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. Setting: This study's sample included 621 HCWs from various professions and health sectors who completed the survey during the pandemic peaks of waves I, II and III in South Africa. Methods: The authors used a qualitative survey design exploring participants' general work, life, mental health and wellbeing experiences, and their support mechanisms or strategies. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The authors identified three overarching themes in the data, namely stress, adjustment to work during COVID-19, and support experiences and needs. These themes were common across all three survey waves, with some minor differences noted across the waves. Conclusion: An overarching thread of uncertainty seems central to HCWs' experiences of working during COVID-19, related to pressures in the South African healthcare system that have been aggravated by the pandemic. Contribution: These findings have the potential to inform the development of contextually relevant approaches to support the mental health and wellbeing needs of HCWs during and after a pandemic. In particular, workplaces need to actively offer psychological support to all HCWs, not just to workers traditionally defined as frontline. Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article. (© 2023. The Authors.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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