Exploration of the views and experiences of research healthcare professionals during their redeployment to clinical roles during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to explore the views and experiences of research healthcare professionals towards their redeployment to frontline clinical roles during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background Healthcare professionals working in research were redeployed during the COVID‐19 pandemic to support the delivery of clinical services across the National Health Service. They are experienced clinicians with research knowledge and skills, and specific working patterns. It is important to understand how these professionals were used and supported during their transition to clinical roles during the pandemic. Method Between July and September 2020, 15 research healthcare professionals were recruited into this qualitative study. Each participant completed a single semi‐structured interview lasting approximately 30–60 min, conducted remotely using a teleconferencing platform. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data analysed by the process of inductive thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo 12.06 (Nov, 2019). Findings Four main themes were identified from analysis of the transcripts: (a) initial personal response to the pandemic (subthemes: of anxieties due to unknown disease impact and concern for others); (b) mobilization for clinical redeployment (subthemes: motivations for voluntary redeployment, the professional challenges, personal fears and the organization and preparedness for redeployment); (c) adaptive deployment to clinical roles (subthemes: adapting to new roles and responsibilities, challenges faced and coping mechanisms), (d) reflections and learnings (subthemes: reintegration to original roles and sense of achievement). Conclusion Research healthcare professionals are highly adaptable professionals equipped with core transferable skills. With the appropriate support, re‐familiarization and induction they are a valuable resource during the pandemic response. Implications to practice Research healthcare professionals are experienced practitioners with transferrable skills and strong sense of duty and resilience. Induction programmes to promote recalibration to clinical settings would improve their adaptability, foster confidence and emotional well‐being. Careful consideration is required prior to mass redeployment to ensure research continuity in both COVID‐19 and other health conditions.

Resilience among health care workers while working during a pandemic: A systematic review and meta synthesis of qualitative studies

“…During COVID-19, a sense of mission was similarly likened to “going to war” and … “was a job that needed to be done” ( Dopelt, Bashkin, Davidovitch, & Asna, 2021 ). HCWs reflected upon a heightened sense of role-meaning during COVID-19; it was viewed as a “vocation” ( Stoichitoiu & Baicus, 2021 ), and “…exhausting but fulfilling’( Veerapen & McKeown, 2021 ). HCWs contributed a specific and meaningful skill set to society; “I feel it is an honor and a responsibility to the profession, to the country and generality of humanity at large” ( Kwaghe et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Opportunities to connect with family and loved ones presented as a source of support to HCWs resilience. HCWs reported closer relationships with family members during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for more meaningful time together ( Aughterson, McKinlay, Fancourt, & Burton, 2021 ; Bender, Srinivas, Coutifaris, Acker, & Hirshberg, 2020 ; Hennein & Lowe, 2020 ; Veerapen & McKeown, 2021 ).…”

Interprofessional practice in the Intensive Treatment Unit during the Covid-19 pandemic; the reflections of an Advanced Practitioner Radiographer

“… 36 , 37 , 38 It is evident from reviewing the available literature, that the circumstances surrounding staff redeployment to ITU predominantly occurred as either a structured deployment initiative, or as a result of voluntary responses to requests for additional support. 22 , 39 …”

“…However, the experiences of a range of other staff redeployed during the Covid-19 pandemic do identify some common themes that resonate with the results of this study. 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 …”

“…The experiences of staff re-deployed into frontline clinical roles in the ITU away from their normal scope of practice, are well documented. 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 …”