Exploring stress coping strategies of frontline emergency health workers dealing Covid-19 in Pakistan: a qualitative inquiry

Munawar, Khadeeja and Choudhry, Riaz Fahad (2020) Exploring stress coping strategies of frontline emergency health workers dealing Covid-19 in Pakistan: a qualitative inquiry. American Journal of Infection Control. pp. 1-7. ISSN 0196-6553 E-ISSN 1527-3296 (In Press)

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Abstract

Background The COVID-19 outbreak has gravely impacted the physical and psychological health of people. As the outbreak is ongoing, it is crucial to equip the emergency healthcare workers (HCWs) to be medically and psychologically prepared. Objective To examine the psychological impact of COVID-19 on emergency HCWs and to understand how they are dealing with COVID-19 pandemic, their stress coping strategies or protective factors, and challenges while dealing with COVID-19 patients. Method Using a framework thematic analysis approach, 15 frontline emergency HCWs directly dealing with COVID-19 patients from 2 April to 25 April 2020. The semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face or by telephone. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Findings highlighted first major theme of stress coping, including, limiting media exposure, limited sharing of Covid-19 duty details, religious coping, just another emergency approach, altruism, and second major theme of Challenges includes, psychological response and noncompliance of public/denial by religious scholar. Conclusion Participants practiced and recommended various coping strategies to deal with stress and anxiety emerging from COVID-19 pandemic. Media was a was reported to be a principal source of raising stress and anxiety among the public. Religious coping as well as their passion to serve humanity and country were the commonly employed coping strategies.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	9018/81763
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Covid-19; pandemic; frontline health care workers
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental Health. Mental Illness Prevention
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Psychology
Depositing User:	Dr Fahad Riaz
Date Deposited:	13 Aug 2020 16:50
Last Modified:	24 Nov 2020 11:46
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/81763

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