Sunshine Coast Health Institute, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
J Hosp Infect. 2022 Mar;121:75-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.12.002. Epub 2021 Dec 10.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has critically challenged healthcare systems globally. Examining the experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) is important for optimizing ongoing and future pandemic responses.
In-depth exploration of Australian HCWs' experiences of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, with a focus on reported stressors vis-à-vis protective factors.
Individual interviews were performed with 63 HCWs in Australia. A range of professional streams and operational staff were included. Thematic analysis was performed.
Thematic analysis identified stressors centred on paucity of, or changing, evidence, leading to absence of, or mistrust in, guidelines; unprecedented alterations to the autonomy and sense of control of clinicians; and deficiencies in communication and support. Key protective factors included: the development of clear guidance from respected clinical leaders or recognized clinical bodies, interpersonal support, and strong teamwork, leadership, and a sense of organizational preparedness.
This study provides insights into the key organizational sources of emotional stress for HCWs within pandemic responses and describes experiences of protective factors. HCWs experiencing unprecedented uncertainty, fear, and rapid change, rely on clear communication, strong leadership, guidelines endorsed by recognized expert groups or individuals, and have increased reliance on interpersonal support. Structured strategies for leadership and communication at team, service group and organizational levels, provision of psychological support, and consideration of the potential negative effects of centralizing control, would assist in ameliorating the extreme pressures of working within a pandemic environment.
SARS-CoV-2 大流行对全球医疗保健系统构成了严峻挑战。研究医疗保健工作者（HCWs）的经验对于优化当前和未来的大流行应对措施至关重要。
深入探讨澳大利亚 HCWs 在 SARS-CoV-2 大流行期间的经历，重点关注报告的压力源与保护因素。
对澳大利亚的 63 名 HCWs 进行了个体访谈。包括了各种专业领域和运营人员。进行了主题分析。
主题分析确定了以缺乏或不断变化的证据为中心的压力源，导致缺乏或不信任指南；临床医生的自主权和控制感发生了前所未有的改变；沟通和支持不足。关键的保护因素包括：来自受尊敬的临床领导者或公认的临床机构的明确指导、人际支持以及强大的团队合作、领导力和组织准备感。
本研究深入了解了大流行应对措施中 HCWs 面临的主要组织性情绪压力源，并描述了保护因素的经验。HCWs 经历了前所未有的不确定性、恐惧和快速变化，依赖于清晰的沟通、强大的领导力、得到公认的专家组或个人认可的指南，并且更加依赖于人际支持。在团队、服务组和组织层面制定领导力和沟通策略、提供心理支持，并考虑集中控制的潜在负面影响，将有助于缓解大流行环境下工作的极端压力。
