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“Covid Just Amplified the Cracks of the System”: Working as a Frontline Health Worker during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • Karen Willis

    (School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
    College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Footscray, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia)

  • Paulina Ezer

    (School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia)

  • Sophie Lewis

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Marie Bismark

    (Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia)

  • Natasha Smallwood

    (Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Prahran, VIC 3004, Australia
    Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified existing workplace stresses and created new challenges for people working on the healthcare frontline, including rapid workplace changes and increasing uncertainty at work, along with fear of contracting the virus. The purpose of this study is to examine the workplace challenges described by Australian frontline health workers during the pandemic. Drawing on a national online anonymous survey of 9518 healthcare workers, we analysed free-text responses to the question: “What did you find to be the main challenges that you faced during the pandemic?” A qualitative content analysis was undertaken. We identified five key themes relating to participant experiences of workplace challenges. These were: Work-life imbalance; Following orders or caring for patients; Unpredictability, disruption, and inconsistency at work; The right to be safe at work; and (Un)preparedness in the workplace. We argue that working during the COVID-19 pandemic illuminated existing occupational health and safety issues that have serious implications for job satisfaction, health workforce retention, and ultimately, patient care.

Suggested Citation

  • Karen Willis & Paulina Ezer & Sophie Lewis & Marie Bismark & Natasha Smallwood, 2021. "“Covid Just Amplified the Cracks of the System”: Working as a Frontline Health Worker during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10178-:d:644824
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Natasha Smallwood & Amy Pascoe & Leila Karimi & Karen Willis, 2021. "Moral Distress and Perceived Community Views Are Associated with Mental Health Symptoms in Frontline Health Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. François Grima & Irène Georgescu & Lionel Prud’Homme, 2020. "How physicians cope with extreme overwork: an exploratory study of French public-sector healthcare professionals," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(1), pages 27-47, January.
    3. Natasha Smallwood & Amy Pascoe & Leila Karimi & Marie Bismark & Karen Willis, 2021. "Occupational Disruptions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Association with Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-14, September.
    4. Judith E. Arnetz & Courtney M. Goetz & Bengt B. Arnetz & Eamonn Arble, 2020. "Nurse Reports of Stressful Situations during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Analysis of Survey Responses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-12, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Esther Alonso-Prieto & Holly Longstaff & Agnes Black & Alice K. Virani, 2022. "COVID-19 Outbreak: Understanding Moral-Distress Experiences Faced by Healthcare Workers in British Columbia, Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Cervantée E. K. Wild & Hailey Wells & Nicolene Coetzee & Cameron C. Grant & Trudy A. Sullivan & José G. B. Derraik & Yvonne C. Anderson, 2022. "Mixed-Methods Survey of Healthcare Workers’ Experiences of Personal Protective Equipment during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Aotearoa/New Zealand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-10, February.

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