‘A picture is worth a thousand words’—A photovoice study exploring health professionals’ experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim To elicit the experiences and perspectives of health professionals working on the frontline in the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background Although some qualitative studies have been carried out in health professionals during COVID‐19 pandemic, to our knowledge, no study has used the Photovoice method. Design A qualitative descriptive study using Photovoice was carried out between March and June 2020. Methods A total of 20 health professionals were recruited from public and private healthcare services. The participants were invited to share photographs about their experiences while working during COVID‐19 pandemic. Following the Photovoice method, audio‐recorded interviews were conducted. The data were analysed using the ‘SHOWED’ mnemonic, with five questions answered about each photograph. The EQUATOR checklist has been used. Results/Findings Three themes emerged: (1) Personal attitudes of health professionals; (2) Support from the community; and (3) Management of institutional resources. Despite the fact that health professionals in this study were exposed to major risks while caring for patients with COVID‐19’ they felt a strong sense of responsibility towards the community. In order to handle these stressful situations, they used coping mechanisms, good humour and leisure, but also received support from the population, who saw them as highly skilled health professionals. Conclusion These findings highlight the essential role of health professionals in the COVID‐19 pandemic and the tireless work they are carrying out to provided highly skilled care. Relevance to clinical practice These findings could contribute to raise awareness on the needs of health professionals during the pandemic, allowing managers to plan strategies to ensure the safety, and well‐being of these professionals, as well as adopting similar strategies in their practice to create a space for critical reflection through participatory approaches.

The Role of Spirituality and Religiosity in Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review of the Scientific Literature

“…Likewise, religious leaders were allowed to use online devices to provide spiritual care during the hospitalization to alleviate the suffering of patients. These strategies were essential to minimize the problems arising from the uncertainty of the disease (Badanta et al, 2021 ).…”

A Qualitative Investigation of the Impact of COVID-19 on United States’ Frontline Health Care Workers and the Perceived Impact on Their Family Members

“…Just eight months after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic on 11 March 2020, there remained over 12,000,000 cases and 255,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the United States alone [ 3 , 4 ]. Not surprisingly, due to the overwhelming strain COVID-19 placed on frontline health care professionals, many reported fears and frustrations throughout the pandemic with regard to poor organizational management, lack of personal protective equipment, being overworked, facing high emotional demands, contracting the disease, and being stigmatized and betrayed by members of the public not employed in health care [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Consequently, an emerging literature base has found that frontline health care workers during COVID-19 reported feelings of increased stress, anxiety, loneliness, isolation, depression, PTSD, and sleep disturbance [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]…”

“…These qualitative findings were similar to those found by Amakiri et al (2020) in which in the United Kingdom, families of health care workers reported feelings of uncertainty and loneliness [ 15 ]. Due to familial relationships often serving as either pillars of strength and/or a taxing relationship during times of stress, it is important to further understand if and how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted family roles and functioning for frontline health care workers [ 10 ]. In the context of this study, family functioning includes an understanding of family, routines, roles, and rules, along with the challenges and strengths.…”

Lived experience of Jordanian front-line healthcare workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

“…One study from Spain has delved into the adaptation strategies that FHCWs tried as self-help strategies. 36 The authors used a photovoice strategy, where they asked participants to provide photographs that embodied how they felt during the pandemic and then interviewed them about it. Participants highlighted the use of leisure and importance of community support.…”