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“At Least until the Second Wave Comes…”: A Twitter Analysis of the NHS and COVID-19 between March and June 2020

Author

Listed:
  • Kathy McKay

    (Public Health, Policy and Systems, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GL, UK
    Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 5BA, UK)

  • Sarah Wayland

    (School of Health, University of New England, Armidale 2350, Australia)

  • David Ferguson

    (Formerly, Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney 2007, Australia)

  • Jane Petty

    (Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 5BA, UK)

  • Eilis Kennedy

    (Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 5BA, UK
    Research Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University of College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK)

Abstract

In the UK, tweets around COVID-19 and health care have primarily focused on the NHS. Recent research has identified that the psychological well-being of NHS staff has been adversely impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate narratives relating to the NHS and COVID-19 during the first lockdown (26 March–4 July 2020). A total of 123,880 tweets were collated and downloaded bound to the time period of the first lockdown in order to analyse the real-time discourse around COVID-19 and the NHS. Content analysis was undertaken and tweets were coded to positive and negative sentiments. Five main themes were identified: (1) the dichotomies of ‘clap for carers’; (2) problems with PPE and testing; (3) peaks of anger; (4) issues around hero worship; and (5) hints of a normality. Further research exploring and documenting social media narratives around COVID-19 and the NHS, in this and subsequent lockdowns, should help in tailoring suitable support for staff in the future and acknowledging the profound impact that the pandemic has had.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathy McKay & Sarah Wayland & David Ferguson & Jane Petty & Eilis Kennedy, 2021. "“At Least until the Second Wave Comes…”: A Twitter Analysis of the NHS and COVID-19 between March and June 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:3943-:d:532779
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kento Tanaka & Masatoshi Tahara & Yuki Mashizume & Kayoko Takahashi, 2021. "Effects of Lifestyle Changes on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers with Different Sense of Coherence Levels in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Chang, H.-J. & Huang, N. & Lee, C.-H. & Hsu, Y.-J. & Hsieh, C.-J. & Chou, Y.-J., 2004. "The Impact of the SARS Epidemic on the Utilization of Medical Services: SARS and the Fear of SARS," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(4), pages 562-564.
    3. Yoshito Nishimura & Tomoko Miyoshi & Hideharu Hagiya & Yoshinori Kosaki & Fumio Otsuka, 2021. "Burnout of Healthcare Workers amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Japanese Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-8, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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