Background During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, key persons who were formally or informally active in community organisations and networks, such as sports clubs or cultural, educational, day care and healthcare facilities, occupied a key position between governments and citizens. However, their experiences, the dilemmas they faced and the solutions they generated when implementing COVID-19 measures in their respective settings are understudied. Aim We aimed to understand how key persons in different community organisations and networks experienced and responded to the COVID-19 measures in the Netherlands. Methods Between October 2020 and December 2021, the Corona Behavioural Unit at the Dutch national public health institute, conducted qualitative research based on narratives derived from 65 in-depth interviews with 95 key persons from 32 organisations and networks in eight different sectors. Results Firstly, key persons enhanced adherence and supported the resilience and well-being of people involved in their settings. Secondly, adherence was negatively affected where COVID-19 measures conflicted with important organisational goals and values. Thirdly, small changes and ambiguities in COVID-19 policy had substantial consequences, depending on the context. Fourthly, problem-solving was achieved through trial-and-error, peer support, co-creation and transparent communication. Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic and measures highlighted inequalities in access to resources. Conclusion Pandemic preparedness requires organisational and community preparedness and a multidisciplinary public health approach. Structural engagement of governments with key persons in community organisations and networks is key to enhance public trust and adherence to pandemic measures and contributes to health equity and the well-being of the people involved.
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, key stakeholders in local organisations like sport clubs, cultural-, education- or day- and healthcare facilities, are positioned between governments and citizens. Yet, their experiences, the dilemmas they face and solutions they generate in implementing COVID-19 prevention policies in their setting are understudied. Aim: To understand how formal and informal stakeholders in different organisations and community networks have experienced and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic policies in the Netherlands. Methods: Between October 2020 - November 2021, the Corona Behavioural Unit at the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM, Netherlands) conducted narrative research, including 65 in-depth interviews with 95 key persons from 32 organisations in 8 different sectors. An independent expert-panel reviewed the methodology, analysis and interpretation of data. Results: Five main themes emerged. First, local stakeholders support resilience and wellbeing of people involved, and enhance adherence through context-specific interventions and partnerships. Second, adherence is negatively affected when COVID-19 policies conflict with significant organisational goals and values. Third, small changes and unclarity in policies nationally, can have major impact on stakeholders locally. Fourth problem solving was based on trial-and-error, peer support, co-creation and transparent communication. Lastly, pandemic and COVID-19 prevention policies highlight inequalities in access to resources
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.