This book examines the experiences of global healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It shines a light on the experiences of healthcare workers during the pandemic, exploring their lived experiences of delivering care without losing sight of the emotional and symbolic nature of their work. Incorporating cutting-edge research from global experts in medical anthropology, medical sociology, medicine, psychology and nursing, it uniquely demonstrates the value of rapid qualitative research during infectious epidemics. Drawing on data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, the book explores global healthcare policies and healthcare workers’ experiences across 20 countries.
Author(s): Cecilia Vindrola-Padros, Ginger A. Johnson
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 330
City: Singapore
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
Chapter 1: Caring on the Frontline: An Introduction
Working During an Infectious Epidemic: A Global Look
COVID-19 Mirror Studies
Challenges and Benefits of Carrying Out Rapid Qualitative Studies During a Pandemic
The Chapters in This Book
References
Chapter 2: Reflecting and Learning from the Experiences of Researchers on Gaining Ethics Approval During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Introduction
Principles of RECs
Ethics Review Challenges Faced by Qualitative Researchers
Guidelines for RECs in Health Emergencies to Facilitate Rapid Research
The Contribution of Rapid Qualitative Research Is Often Overlooked
Contextualising the Experiences of the RREAL COVID-19 Global Network
Methods
Results
Delays Encountered Due to Complex Review Systems
Overcoming Barriers and Suggesting Solutions
Discussion and Recommendations
Learning Outcomes
Embedding Reflexive Practice Throughout the Ethical Approval Process
Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: Policies and Politics: An Analysis of Public Policies Aimed at the Reorganisation of Healthcare Delivery During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Introduction
The Studies
Case Study 1: Italy and Spain
Policy Context and COVID-19 Response
Findings
Case Study 2: UK and Switzerland
Policy Context and COVID-19 Response
Findings
Case Study 3: Mexico and South Africa
Policy Context and COVID-19 Response
Findings
Responding to the Crisis
Reactionary Policy
Preparedness
Conclusion
Recommendations
Strength and Weakness
Future Implications
References
Chapter 4: Protecting and Feeling Protected: HCWs’ Experiences with Personal Protective Equipment During the COVID-19 Pandemic (PPE)
Introduction
The Power and Protection of Face Masks
Methods
Main Themes on PPE
Stock
Distribution
Use and Reuse
Delivery of Care
Reflecting on the Shortages
Changing Guidelines
Uncertainty and Improvisation
Training
Delivering Care with PPE
Conclusion
References
Chapter 5: “Thrown into the Unknown”: Uncertainty and the Experiences of HCWs During the Pandemic in Chile, Brazil and Argentina
Introduction
Methods
Covid-19 and Healthcare Systems in Brazil, Chile and Argentina
Managing the COVID-19 Outbreak
Adapting Healthcare Delivery to the Unknown
Dealing with the Unknown
Sources of Uncertainty: Fast Mutating Virus, Changing Protocols and Lack of PPE
Learning and Horizons
Lessons Learned
Conclusions
References
Chapter 6: “People Are Not Taking the Outbreak Seriously”: Interpretations of Religion and Public Health Policy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Introduction
Religious ‘Coping’ and Superspreading Events
Studying Perceptions and Experiences of HCWs in Religious Context
Contributors to the Spread and Containment of an Outbreak: The Cases of Pakistan, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
HCW Concerns and Fears in Pakistan
Supportive and Reactive Religious Leaders in Nigeria
Rumours and Risk Perception in DRC
Conclusion
References
Chapter 7: Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Introduction
Mental Health and Well-being
The Studies
Well-being at Different Points in the Pandemic
Well-being for Different Professional Groups
Main Stress Factors That Affect Well-being and Mental Health
Fear of COVID-19
Fear of Contracting the Virus
Fear of Spreading the Virus
HCWs Dealing with PPE
Patient-Practitioner-Family Relation
Relationship with Other Colleagues
Mental HealthCare and Strategies for Well-Being
Country-Level Strategies
Hospital Programmes—Provided by the Workplace
Individual Strategies
Conclusions
References
Chapter 8: Long-Term Care Staff Perceptions of Providing Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States and Switzerland: Balancing Protection and Social Isolation
Introduction
Models of LTRC: Between Medicalization and Person-Centred Care
Impact of Social Isolation: Increasing Loneliness
Policies and Guidelines: Implementing Protection Measures
Methods
Findings
Fear and Anxiety While Navigating Risk of COVID-19 Infection
Providing Care During Isolation
Implementing Limited and Evolving Policies and Guidelines
Balancing Isolation with Quality of Life
Conclusion
References
Chapter 9: Uncanny Valley: Healthcare Workers in Settings of Controlled COVID-19 Response
Covid-19 in Australia and the Australian National Territory
The Study Setting
Methods
Analysis
Watchful Waiting for the Pandemic
Effects on the ACT HealthCare System
Public Image Versus Reality
What Is It Like to Work in the Shadow of a Pandemic That Never Comes?
References
Chapter 10: Testing Times: COVID-19 Testing and Healthcare Workers in South Africa
Introduction
Debunking Test Essentialism
South Africa’s Approach to Testing
Testing Realities
South Africa in Global Context
South African Realities
SARS-COV-2 Testing and HCWS in the Times of COVID-19
Reflecting on Testing as a Lens for HCWS to Know and Be Amidst Uncertainty
Conclusion
References
Chapter 11: Even Death Has Changed: End-of-Life, Burials, and Bereavement During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Introduction
The End-of-Life as Cultural Practice
Communication at the End-of-Life
Witnessing the End-of-Life and Dying Alone
Grieving and Isolation
Conclusions
References
Chapter 12: The “Knock-on” Effects of COVID-19 on Healthcare Services
Introduction
Methods
The Rapid Reorganisation of Healthcare in Response to COVID-19
Rapidly Developing Protocols
Readying Hospital Services for COVID-19 Care
Readying General Practice (GP) and Community Care for COVID-19 Care and Service Continuity
Focusing on Reducing the Spread of Transmission and Its Unintended Effects
Achieving a COVID-19 Ready Health System Through HCW Redeployment
Critical Care Services as a Locus of Severe COVID-19 Care and COVID-19’s Effect on Critical Care
The Establishment of Field Hospitals to Expand COVID-19 Care
The Impact on Non-COVID Services: The Capacity to Retain Essential Service Provision
The Impact on Women’s Healthcare with a Focus on Maternity Healthcare
The Impact on Paediatric Healthcare with a Focus on Infant and Child Healthcare
The Impact on the Elderly with a Focus on Residential Healthcare
The Impact on (Non-essential), Non-COVID Services Due to Restructuring of the Healthcare System
The Impact on Acute Hospital-Based Care
The Reduction in Medical Consultations
The Impact on Education and Research Within and Beyond the Healthcare Sector
Conclusions, Significance, and Future Implications for Healthcare
References
Chapter 13: Lessons for Current and Future Pandemics
The Long-Term Effects of COVID-19: Lessons Learned and Best Practices
Politics, Policy and Inequalities in HCW and Patient Experiences of Care
Distrust and Misinformation Within Strained and Historically Unresponsive Healthcare Systems
Complacency in Testing and Contract Tracing
HCWs Are Our Most Precious Resource
Provision of Routine and Non-COVID Health Services
Long COVID and the Additional Strain on Healthcare Systems
Existing Emergency Response Structures and Successful Vaccination Campaigns
How Future Research Will Need to Innovate and Adapt to the Long-Term Effects of the Pandemic
References
Index
