University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
BMJ Open Qual. 2022 Aug;11(3). doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2022-001878.
The spread of the COVID-19 virus has caused an unforeseen strain on the healthcare system and particularly on healthcare workers (HCW). In this study, 1 year after the COVID-19 pandemic began, we used photovoice, a visual photographic approach, to understand HCW needs, concerns and resilience and to determine improvement strategies aligned with the HCW-described challenges.
Using a qualitative design, HCW were recruited from a single Western Canadian hospital, voluntarily submitting a photographic image and narrative that depicts their experiences. An artist artistically enhanced the photovoice submissions, which were then displayed at the hospital-based art gallery for public display. A survey was used to collect feedback from gallery viewers. Inductive thematic analysis was completed identifying themes from the photovoice narratives and survey comments, aiding the identification of recommendations.
There were 25 submissions, and 1281 individuals viewed the art exhibit. Six themes emerged: (1) hopeful and resilient, (2) pandemic fatigue-negative mental and physical states, (3) personal protective equipment is our armour but masks who we are, (4) human connection, (5) responsibility, preparation and obligation and (6) technology surge. According to survey results from the art exhibit, the use of photovoice was a creative method that personalised the HCW experience and validated viewers' perceptions of the difficulties faced by HCW. Ten improvement strategies that were aligned with the described challenges were identified.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain HCW. Photovoice has great potential in the professional clinical setting to provide unique insights that narrative language alone cannot capture. Future research exploring the longitudinal impact of COVID-19, reviewing photographs at different timepoints could be beneficial. Using this method as a creative outlet intervention and evaluating participation artistic experience may offer additional insights to further support both HCW and patients.
COVID-19 病毒的传播给医疗保健系统带来了前所未有的压力，尤其是对医护人员（HCW）。在这项研究中，COVID-19 大流行开始一年后，我们使用摄影影像，一种视觉摄影方法，了解 HCW 的需求、关注点和适应力，并确定与 HCW 描述的挑战相一致的改进策略。
采用定性设计，从加拿大西部的一家医院招募 HCW，自愿提交描绘他们经历的照片和叙述。一位艺术家对摄影影像作品进行了艺术增强，然后在医院的艺术画廊展示，供公众观看。使用问卷调查收集画廊观众的反馈。通过归纳主题分析，从摄影影像叙述和调查意见中确定主题，有助于确定建议。
共收到 25 份投稿，共有 1281 人观看了艺术展览。出现了六个主题：（1）充满希望和适应力强；（2）大流行疲劳——负面的心理和身体状态；（3）个人防护装备是我们的盔甲，但口罩掩盖了我们的身份；（4）人际联系；（5）责任、准备和义务；（6）技术激增。根据艺术展览的调查结果，摄影影像的使用是一种创造性的方法，可以使 HCW 的经历个性化，并验证观众对 HCW 所面临困难的看法。确定了与描述的挑战相一致的 10 项改进策略。
持续的 COVID-19 大流行继续给 HCW 带来压力。摄影影像在专业临床环境中具有很大的潜力，可以提供叙事语言无法捕捉的独特见解。未来的研究可以探索 COVID-19 的长期影响，回顾不同时间点的照片，这可能会有所帮助。将这种方法用作创意干预措施，并评估参与艺术体验可能会提供更多的见解，以进一步支持 HCW 和患者。
