The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on critical care healthcare professionals' work practices and wellbeing: A qualitative study |
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| Institution: | 1. Malcolm Fisher Department of Intensive Care, Royal North Shore Hospital and Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065 Australia;2. Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Ultimo NSW 2007 Australia;3. School of Medicine, Brisbane, The University of Queensland, 20 Weightman Street, Herston QLD 4006 Australia;4. Queensland Children''s Hospital, 501 Stanley Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Australia;5. Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 35 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia;6. Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Northumbria University, Benton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE7 7XA, UK;7. Critical Care Division, The George Institute for Global Health and University of NSW, Level 5, 1 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042 Australia |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundBurnout and other psychological comorbidities were evident prior to the COVID-19 pandemic for critical care healthcare professionals (HCPs) who have been at the forefront of the health response. Current research suggests an escalation or worsening of these impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to undertake an in-depth exploration of the impact of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of HCPs working in critical care.MethodsThis was a qualitative study using online focus groups (n = 5) with critical care HCPs (n = 31, 7 medical doctors and 24 nurses) in 2021: one with United Kingdom–based participants (n = 11) and four with Australia-based participants (n = 20). Thematic analysis of qualitative data from focus groups was performed using Gibbs framework.FindingsFive themes were synthesised: transformation of anxiety and fear throughout the pandemic, the burden of responsibility, moral distress, COVID-19 intruding into all aspects of life, and strategies and factors that sustained wellbeing during the pandemic. Moral distress was a dominant feature, and intrusiveness of the pandemic into all aspects of life was a novel finding.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted critical care HCPs and their work experience and wellbeing. The intrusiveness of the pandemic into all aspects of life was a novel finding. Moral distress was a predominate feature of their experience. Leaders of healthcare organisations should ensure that interventions to improve and maintain the wellbeing of HCPs are implemented. |
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| Keywords: | COVID-19 pandemic Critical care Focus groups Healthcare professionals Stress Psychological Wellbeing Healthcare workers Thematic analysis |
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