Imperial College London
Alternate

ProfessorStephenBrett

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery & Cancer

Professor of Critical Care
 
 
 
//

Contact

 

+44 (0)20 3313 4521stephen.brett Website

 
 
//

Location

 

Hammersmith House 570Hammersmith HospitalHammersmith Campus

//

Summary

 

Publications

Citation

BibTex format

@article{Grailey:2021:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053680,
author = {Grailey, K and Lound, A and Brett, S},
doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053680},
journal = {BMJ Open},
pages = {1--13},
title = {Lived experiences of healthcare workers on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic – a qualitative interview study.},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053680},
volume = {11},
year = {2021}
}
Download

RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the presence of perceived stressors, psychological safety and teamwork in healthcare professionals. As the timeframe for this study spanned the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, data were captured demonstrating the impact of the pandemic on these factors. Design: Qualitative Interview Study Setting: All staff working within the Emergency and Critical Care Departments of one National Health Service Trust in London, United Kingdom. Participants: Forty-nine participants were recruited using a purposive sampling technique and interviewed when the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had subsided.  Main Outcome Measures:  Evaluation of changes in perceived stressors, psychological safety and teamwork in individuals working during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Results: The thematic analysis relating to a participant’s lived experiences whilst working during COVID-19 led to the construction of 5 key themes, including ‘Psychological effects’ and ‘Changes in team dynamics’. Several psychological effects were described, including the presence of psychological distress and insights into the aetiology of moral injury. There was marked heterogeneity in participants response to COVID-19, particularly with respect to changes in team dynamics and the perception of a psychologically safe environment. Descriptions of improved team cohesiveness and camaraderie contrasted with stories of new barriers, notably due to the high workload and the impact of personal protective equipment. Building on these themes, a map of key changes arising due to the pandemic was developed, highlighting potential opportunities to provide targeted support.  Conclusions:  Working on the frontline of a pandemic can have significant implications for healthcare workers, putting them at risk of psychological distress and moral injury, as well as affecting team dynamics. There is striking heterogeneity in the manifestation of these challenges.
AU  - Grailey,K
AU  - Lound,A
AU  - Brett,S
DO  - 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053680
EP  - 13
PY  - 2021///
SN  - 2044-6055
SP  - 1
TI  - Lived experiences of healthcare workers on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic – a qualitative interview study.
T2  - BMJ Open
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053680
UR  - https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/12/e053680
UR  - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/92751
VL  - 11
ER  -
Download