Ahlstrom Linda, Gillberg Nanna, Wikström Ewa, Wijk Helle, Jonsdottir Ingibjörg H, Degl'Innocenti Alessio, Fallman Sara L
Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Gothenburg, Sweden.
BMC Health Serv Res. 2025 May 13;25(1):690. doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-12759-w.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses within the healthcare sector in many countries, and intensifying pressure on managers and healthcare workers was immediate. Managers were faced with increased pressure during the pandemic related to difficult prioritizations and severely disrupted daily operations. Therefore, a deeper understanding of managers' similar and different experiences during pandemics is necessary. Our aim of this study was to explore the experiences of managers' in leading HCWs at two major Swedish hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, to describe their applied managerial approaches and strategies, and comparing the experiences of managers overseeing units caring for COVID-19 patients with those managing units not involved in COVID-19 patient care, to identify both differences and similarities in their crisis management practices.
A qualitative research design involving thematic analysis was applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data used in this study were from the open-ended questions in a web-based survey; 376 managers were included.
Managers´ experiences in leading HCWs resulted in four themes: (1) centralised crisis management, (2) managing daily operative work, (3) dynamics of managerial support, and (4) new insights into learning and development, accompanied by 13 subthemes. Their experiences in leading HCWs caring for COVID-19 patients or not varied, and managers need to recognize these variations in strategies to provide effective and crucial support to HCWs during challenging times. Managers also appreciated certain hospital operations during the pandemic, while identifying areas for improvement within the organisation.
Acknowledging diverse needs among managers is important, especially given the diverse conditions in departments caring for COVID-19 patients versus others. Managers play a critical role in centralised crisis management, ensuring daily operative work, providing managerial support to healthcare workers, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. These insights highlight the importance of effective management and the dynamics of managerial support during pandemic crises, which directly impact patient safety. These results contribute to the ongoing improvement of healthcare organisations in addressing unforeseen challenges, such as pandemics and broader existential crises, by emphasizing the managerial perspective on crisis response.
新冠疫情暴露出许多国家医疗保健部门的关键弱点，对管理人员和医护人员的压力立即加剧。在疫情期间，管理人员面临着与艰难的优先级排序和日常运营严重中断相关的更大压力。因此，有必要更深入地了解管理人员在疫情期间的异同经历。本研究的目的是探讨新冠疫情期间瑞典两家主要医院的管理人员领导医护人员的经历。此外，描述他们应用的管理方法和策略，并比较负责护理新冠患者的科室管理人员与不参与新冠患者护理科室管理人员的经历，以确定他们危机管理实践中的差异和相似之处。
在新冠疫情期间采用了涉及主题分析的定性研究设计。本研究使用的数据来自基于网络的调查中的开放式问题；共纳入376名管理人员。
管理人员领导医护人员的经历产生了四个主题：（1）集中式危机管理，（2）管理日常运营工作，（3）管理支持的动态变化，（4）对学习与发展的新认识，同时还有13个子主题。他们领导护理新冠患者或不护理新冠患者的医护人员的经历各不相同，管理人员需要认识到这些策略上的差异，以便在困难时期为医护人员提供有效且关键的支持。管理人员也认可疫情期间的某些医院运营情况，同时指出了组织内有待改进的领域。
认识到管理人员的不同需求很重要，尤其是考虑到护理新冠患者的科室与其他科室的不同情况。管理人员在集中式危机管理、确保日常运营工作、为医护人员提供管理支持以及培养持续学习与发展的文化方面发挥着关键作用。这些见解凸显了疫情危机期间有效管理和管理支持动态变化的重要性，这直接影响患者安全。这些结果通过强调危机应对的管理视角，有助于医疗保健组织持续改进，以应对诸如疫情和更广泛的生存危机等不可预见的挑战。
