Factors Affecting Performance of Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 in Pakistan

Abstract

Healthcare workers are one of the most affected communities at the global level during the pandemic of COVID-19, and Pakistan is no exception. Pakistan allocates merely less than 1% of its GDP for the healthcare sector, that is why, in most of the cases, healthcare workers are bound to serve without adopting standard safety measures while dealing with patients. The need for proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) has been felt more than ever during the occurrence of COVID-19 due to its quick transferability from an infected person to a healthy one. Until now, some 62 healthcare workers, including 42 doctors, have lost their lives and 5,367 have contracted coronavirus. Healthcare workers already serving without PPEs went under serious life threat after the coronavirus pandemic, and this fear has adversely affected their role as frontline warriors against COVID-19. In the given scenario, healthcare workers have not only to be worried about their own lives but also their families back at home. The current study aims at investigating variables such fears of healthcare workers about contracting coronavirus, its adverse effects on their performance, and resultantly the provision of compromised healthcare services to patients. This is mainly a qualitative study, whereas primary data were collected through telephonic interviews of 30 healthcare workers (15 doctors and 15 nurses) currently performing their duties in healthcare centres. Sources of secondary data include online journal articles, daily newspapers, government reports, and official websites. The findings of the study show that lack of proper safety kits and training of preparedness and safety has put the lives of healthcare workers at high risk and they are unable to perform their duties in the proper/appropriate way owing to their exposure to the risk of contracting coronavirus. The healthcare workers are conflicted about serving and saving the patients or securing their own lives.

COVID-19 Disrupted Provision and Utilization of Health and Nutrition Services in Uttar Pradesh, India: Insights from Service Providers, Household Phone Surveys, and Administrative Data

“…Facility-based services were substantially affected during the lockdown, mainly due to suspension of services in areas with positive COVID-19 cases by the state government ( 23 ). In contrast with findings from other studies suggesting lack of training limited health workers’ ability to perform duties during COVID-19 ( 13 , 24 ), most FLWs in our study received training and had good knowledge of COVID-19. Receipt of PPE and incentives were inadequate, however, which hindered effective service provision, which is consistent with findings from other studies in India ( 25 ) and Pakistan ( 13 ).…”

“…In contrast with findings from other studies suggesting lack of training limited health workers’ ability to perform duties during COVID-19 ( 13 , 24 ), most FLWs in our study received training and had good knowledge of COVID-19. Receipt of PPE and incentives were inadequate, however, which hindered effective service provision, which is consistent with findings from other studies in India ( 25 ) and Pakistan ( 13 ). Other factors contributing to service reduction included shortages of manpower and supply, increased workload among FLWs, lack of transport, and poor cooperation from beneficiaries.…”

“…FLWs also play a critical role in fighting the pandemic with additional COVID-19 responsibilities such as health surveys, quarantine duties, surveillance, and behavior change communication ( 3 ), thus they are particularly vulnerable to the physical, mental, and emotional impacts associated with COVID-19 ( 9–11 ). FLWs responding to COVID-19 are reported to be at increased risk of contracting the virus ( 9 , 12 ) and experience fatigue, uncertainty, attacks, and sometimes conflicts about serving patients or securing their own lives and families ( 13 , 14 ). Beyond the risk of exposure, COVID-19 also has significant implications for the psychological health of FLWs including increased risk of trauma, stress-related disorders, depression, and anxiety ( 11 , 15 ).…”

Application of Technology in Educating Nursing Students During COVID-19: A Systematic Review

“…Lee et al showed that zoom app is becoming increasingly popular amongst nursing students who are learning practical courses [29]. Malso showed that zoom app as the one of the best one for educating especially for nurses students [30]. Correia et al showed Microsoft Teams as the best app for videoconferencing for nursing students [31].…”

Analisis Pengaruh Stigma Terhadap Stres Kerja Serta Implikasinya Pada Kinerja Tenaga Kesehatan Muslim Selama Pandemi Covid-19

“…Jika petugas kesehatan diberi sumber daya dan pelatihan yang dibutuhkan, mereka akan melakukan tugasnya dengan cara yang lebih baik. Kurangnya APD, beban pekerjaan yang berlebihan dan kekhawatiran anggota keluarga tertular virus COVID-19 dapat berdampak buruk pada kinerja mereka (Jafar & Shoukat, 2020).…”