Healthcare adjustments and concerns: a qualitative study exploring the perspectives of healthcare providers and administrative staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundHealthcare systems have modified their strategies to manage their staff, supplies, and space to deal systematically with the COVID-19 pandemic. This research aimed to explore the nature of hospital adjustments and the concerns of healthcare providers and administrative staff working in Governmental and private hospitals throughout the Qassim Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) during the pandemic.MethodsA qualitative phenomenological study using semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 75 purposively selected healthcare providers and administrative staff working at three main hospitals in the Qassim Region, KSA. The maximum variation sampling technique was utilized. Recruitment of participants was continued until data saturation was reached. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically.ResultsFour core themes were identified in this paper: (1) changes in hospital policy and procedures, (2) workforce management, (3) the well-being of the workforce, and (4) apprehensions and expectations of the workforce. The participants showed satisfaction with timely administrative decisions and new policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the psychological health of healthcare professionals was affected more than their physical state. Finally, the providers perceived the emergence of multiple concerns in the coming months.ConclusionAlthough healthcare providers were initially overwhelmed, they gradually accepted new administrative policies. Numerous innovative interventions effectively reduced their physical workload and increased their productivity, but they remained significantly affected by a wide range of psychological disorders, with a high prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder. There were some concerns about the new SARS-CoV-2 variant, but the majority were optimistic.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers under the “Ten New Guidelines” in Taizhou, China

“…In China, a new guideline or policy may influence healthcare quality such as irrational and negative actions by physicians for cost-control ( Yan et al, 2019 ). From the health management viewpoint, policymakers still have used a number of approaches to improve services in health care systems to the COVID-19 pandemic ( Alkathlan et al, 2023 ). Innovative interventions could effectively reduce healthcare providers’ physical workload and increase clinical productivity ( Alkathlan et al, 2023 ).…”

“…From the health management viewpoint, policymakers still have used a number of approaches to improve services in health care systems to the COVID-19 pandemic ( Alkathlan et al, 2023 ). Innovative interventions could effectively reduce healthcare providers’ physical workload and increase clinical productivity ( Alkathlan et al, 2023 ). Nevertheless, it was inevitable that emotion-related affects were possible reactions to the unpredictable and threatening COVID-19 pandemic, which has particularly directly affected healthcare workers ( Vinkers et al, 2020 ).…”

Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination on General Surgical Emergencies in Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia: A Single-Center Retrospective Chart Review

“…Additionally, an investigation examined the impact of lockdown on injuries during the pandemic in a level-I trauma center in Riyadh, KSA [ 19 ]. There is also research on the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems, including the postponement of elective surgeries [ 20 ]. Therefore, in this study, we aim to determine and compare the rate of surgical emergencies before and during the pandemic and after the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines in KSA.…”