Evaluation of Healthcare Workers Infected with COVID-19: A Qualitative Research on the Disease Process and Its Effects

Authors : Beyza ŞAHİN, Abdülkadir AYDIN, Erkut ETÇİOĞLU, Hasan Çetin EKERBİÇER, Aslıhan ARIKAN

Pages : 8-15

Doi:10.26453/otjhs.1062026

View : 11 | Download : 13

Publication Date : 2023-03-05

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare workers and their experience of the disease. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted using qualitative methods between December 12, 2020 and February 5, 2021 with 30 health workers who had recovered from COVID-19. The research data were collected using semi-structured interviews during which participants were asked about their socio-demographic characteristics, their experiences of the disease, and the impacts of the disease. The data obtained were grouped according to themes and sub-themes. Results: The participants identified the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral effects of the disease, including emotional responses at different stages of the disease, attitudes towards the disease, changes in dietary style, over-attention to symptoms and vital findings, and changes in prevention measures after recovery from the disease. Uncertainty, quarantine periods, fear of infecting others, stress factors such as healthcare worker identity and stigma were also identified by the participants. Conclusions: Providing support for the protection of the mental health of healthcare workers who contract the disease is essential to allow them to continue providing quality patient care. We think it would be beneficial to conduct further research on the nature of psychological support for medical personnel who experience COVID-19.
Keywords : COVID 19, Pandemi, Sağlık Çalışanı, Ruh Sağlığı, Nitel Araştırma