Experiences of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic amongst Australian healthcare workers: from stressors to protective factors

Abstract

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Organizational responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria, Australia: A qualitative study across four healthcare settings

“…Keeping HCWs informed and up to date can help to alleviate anxiety and provide a sense of agency, which is of particular importance in an emergency pandemic scenario ( 29 ). Consistent with previous studies, HCWs in our cohort felt supported and valued by managers who they perceived to be visible, approachable and in touch with what was happening “on the ground” ( 30 , 31 ). Recent findings suggest that leaders' physical presence at the workplace increases trust, and signals solidarity and risk-sharing in a stressful and hazardous working environment, and empathetic leadership eases staff anxiety ( 31 , 32 ).…”

‘Like building a plane and flying it all in one go’: an interview study of infection prevention and control in Australian general practice during the first 2 years of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

“…15 This study was part of a larger project investigating the IPC experiences of Australian healthcare workers in primary, secondary and tertiary care sectors during the pandemic in 2020-2021, in New South Wales (NSW). [16][17][18] Within the primary care context, this study focused on the experiences of staff in general practices that consist, predominantly, of small private healthcare businesses, with a federally funded feefor-service model. 19 Interviews took place from November 2020 to August 2021, capturing variations in conditions and work practices in general practice surgeries, amidst changing pandemic conditions.…”

“…This paper uses the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research reporting guidelines 15. This study was part of a larger project investigating the IPC experiences of Australian healthcare workers in primary, secondary and tertiary care sectors during the pandemic in 2020–2021, in New South Wales (NSW) 16–18. Within the primary care context, this study focused on the experiences of staff in general practices that consist, predominantly, of small private healthcare businesses, with a federally funded fee-for-service model 19.…”

Practice development amidst a pandemic: a pilot programme to develop leadership in infection prevention and control professionals

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted and continues to impact the health system in significant ways, and leadership in the health-care sector has been critical. This is important not only for managing the safety and quality of ongoing service delivery but also to help health workers cope with the stressors of an infectious disease emergency of unprecedented scale and complexity (Broom et al, 2022). ICPs have been central to this response, and this leadership programme has been designed to respond to their needs, to support them to provide sensitive, collaborative and transformational IPAC leadership, wherever they may Source: Authors' own work operate within the system.…”