Panda Upasana, Lanoix Monique, Gewurtz Rebecca, Moll Sandra, Durocher Evelyne
Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 1C7, Canada.
Faculty of Philosophy, School of Ethics and Public Affairs, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5T8, Canada.
Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Dec 6;12(23):2474. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12232474.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Personal support workers (PSWs) are important healthcare workers providing essential services to thousands of Canadians. PSWs face many challenges that were exacerbated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study we explore experiences of PSWs working through the pandemic in Ontario long-term care (LTC) homes by focusing on the vulnerability of such workers.
An interpretive description approach was adopted. Eleven PSWs working in LTC homes in an urban center in Ontario participated in semi-structured interviews between January and May 2022. Thematic analysis of the transcripts was informed by concepts of vulnerability.
The results suggest that PSWs experienced inherent, situational, and pathogenic vulnerability. Inherent vulnerability was experienced in relation to risks of contracting the coronavirus working in person with residents, and of experiencing physical and psychological distress in relation to challenging interactions with staff, residents and their superiors. Situational vulnerability was experienced in relation to demanding workloads, which were intensified in the context of the pandemic. Participants expressed feeling undervalued, unappreciated, and disrespected, reflecting experiences of pathogenic vulnerability. The narratives shared by PSWs highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic added new, and magnified pre-existing, challenges and vulnerability, affecting their health and well-being.
Understanding risks faced by PSWs in LTC settings is crucial for developing targeted interventions and policies to support PSWs' health and well-being, mitigate factors that contribute to their vulnerability and promote the long-term sustainability of this caregiving workforce, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to residents in LTC facilities.
背景/目的：个人支持工作者（PSW）是重要的医护人员，为数千名加拿大人提供基本服务。PSW面临许多挑战，在新冠疫情背景下这些挑战更加严峻。在本研究中，我们通过关注此类工作者的脆弱性，探讨安大略省长期护理（LTC）机构中PSW在疫情期间的工作经历。
采用解释性描述方法。2022年1月至5月期间，安大略省一个城市中心的11名在LTC机构工作的PSW参与了半结构化访谈。根据脆弱性概念对访谈记录进行主题分析。
结果表明，PSW经历了内在、情境和致病的脆弱性。内在脆弱性体现在与居民面对面工作时感染冠状病毒的风险，以及在与工作人员、居民及其上级的挑战性互动中经历身体和心理困扰。情境脆弱性体现在工作量繁重方面，在疫情背景下这种情况更加严重。参与者表示感到被低估、不被赏识和不被尊重，这反映了致病脆弱性的经历。PSW分享的叙述突出了新冠疫情如何增加了新的挑战，并放大了先前存在的挑战和脆弱性，影响了他们的健康和福祉。
了解LTC机构中PSW面临的风险对于制定有针对性的干预措施和政策以支持PSW的健康和福祉、减轻导致其脆弱性的因素以及促进这支护理劳动力队伍的长期可持续性至关重要，最终提高LTC设施中居民所接受护理的质量。
