TY - JOUR
T1 - “Covid Just Amplified the Cracks of the System”
T2 - Working as a Frontline Health Worker during the COVID-19 Pandemic
AU - Willis, Karen
AU - Ezer, Paulina
AU - Lewis, Sophie
AU - Bismark, Marie
AU - Smallwood, Natasha
N1 - Funding Information:
This research received funding from the Melbourne Health Foundation, out of rounds grant; and the Lord Mayor?s Charitable Fund, Proactive Grant.
Funding Information:
Funding: This research received funding from the Melbourne Health Foundation, out of rounds grant; and the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund, Proactive Grant.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/10/1
Y1 - 2021/10/1
N2 - The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified existing workplace stresses and created new challenges for people working on the healthcare frontline, including rapid workplace changes and increasing uncertainty at work, along with fear of contracting the virus. The purpose of this study is to examine the workplace challenges described by Australian frontline health workers during the pandemic. Drawing on a national online anonymous survey of 9518 healthcare workers, we analysed free-text responses to the question: “What did you find to be the main challenges that you faced during the pandemic?” A qualitative content analysis was undertaken. We identified five key themes relating to participant experiences of workplace challenges. These were: Work-life imbalance; Following orders or caring for patients; Unpredictability, disruption, and inconsistency at work; The right to be safe at work; and (Un)preparedness in the workplace. We argue that working during the COVID-19 pandemic illuminated existing occupational health and safety issues that have serious implications for job satisfaction, health workforce retention, and ultimately, patient care.
AB - The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified existing workplace stresses and created new challenges for people working on the healthcare frontline, including rapid workplace changes and increasing uncertainty at work, along with fear of contracting the virus. The purpose of this study is to examine the workplace challenges described by Australian frontline health workers during the pandemic. Drawing on a national online anonymous survey of 9518 healthcare workers, we analysed free-text responses to the question: “What did you find to be the main challenges that you faced during the pandemic?” A qualitative content analysis was undertaken. We identified five key themes relating to participant experiences of workplace challenges. These were: Work-life imbalance; Following orders or caring for patients; Unpredictability, disruption, and inconsistency at work; The right to be safe at work; and (Un)preparedness in the workplace. We argue that working during the COVID-19 pandemic illuminated existing occupational health and safety issues that have serious implications for job satisfaction, health workforce retention, and ultimately, patient care.
KW - Australia
KW - COVID-19
KW - Extreme work
KW - Frontline health workers
KW - Health professionals
KW - Qualitative
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85115833595
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph181910178
DO - 10.3390/ijerph181910178
M3 - Article
C2 - 34639479
AN - SCOPUS:85115833595
SN - 1661-7827
VL - 18
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
IS - 19
M1 - 10178
ER -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being