Social discrimination and stigma on the community of health professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic. An ethnographic approach

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that caused the pandemic since March 2020, has affected among others, health professionals who work in covid-19 units by facing social discrimination. The aim of this study was to record the experiences of health professionals working in the first line of treatment of the pandemic, to analyse the effects of the pandemic on the interpersonal relationships of health professionals, and to ask about the stigma they faced during their work with people with covid-19.This is a qualitative study with an ethnographic approach based on 160 semi-structured interviews with health professionals living and working in the Epirus Region, Greece. For the data collection we used semi-structured interviews, discussions and participatory observation. Specifically, the interviews were conducted on health professionals and more specifically doctors, nurses, rescuers, physiotherapists and administrative staff, working in covid-19 units at the University General Hospital of Ioannina (Reference hospital for Ioannina, in Epirus), which assists in the treatment of patients with covid-19, and in the branch of the rescue department of Ioannina.The data were analysed in four thematic units based on their common characteristics: a) emotions and experiences of health professionals, b) interpersonal relations of health professionals, c) social exclusion and discrimination, and d) health professionals as patients. The results showed that the main emotions that health professionals experienced when they were moved to covid-19 clinics were fear, anxiety, distress, anger and insecurity. These feelings worsened when their family environment treated them with fear and hesitancy. Their social environment tended to avoid them, leading to a state of self-isolation. To conclude, health professionals faced discriminating behaviors and stigma both from their families and social environment, and from other health professionals. The government struggled to handle the situation in keeping a balance between both the security and well-being of health professionals as it was not prepared for a pandemic like this.

Self-Assessment of Health Professionals’ Cultural Competence: Knowledge, Skills, and Mental Health Concepts for Optimal Health Care

“…In the following questions about their intention to build strong relationships with a diverse community, the participants show that they evaluate themselves highly and state that they have acquired the cultural ability to a significant degree without facing any difficulties or problems. Other studies come to similar conclusions [ 23 ].…”

Peer Review of “Exploring the Reasons for Low Cataract Surgery Uptake Among Patients Detected in a Community Outreach Program in Cameroon: Focused Ethnographic Mixed Methods Study”

“…In the Community Health Care context, one of the most important issues discussed among experts is health promotion and the prevention of diseases of specific population groups characterized by risk factors. As there has been such a huge outbreak of awareness programs for the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, it would be useful to extend similar programs to other diseases that affect the health of communities over time [ 3 ].…”

Pediatri Hemşirelerinin COVID-19 Korkusu ve Pandemi Sürecinde Yaşadıkları Zorlukların Belirlenmesi

“…Therefore, they have been seen the people threatening active social life and facing social exclusion. Argyriadis et al (2021) found in their study aiming to examine social exclusion experienced be healthcare professionals during the pandemic that families of nurses approached them with fear and hesitation during face-to-face conversations and this made them feel bad. In addition, nurses stated that their close environment tended to avoid them (Argyriadis et al, 2021, pp.1-27).…”