Perception of Social Workers on the Psychosocial Issues of End-Stage Renal Disease Patients during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on nephrology social work: Perspectives of social workers

“…To date, one study, based in India (n=6), has specifically explored the perceptions of social workers who supported renal disease patients during the COVID-19 pandemic (Powathil & Anish, 2022). This study suggests that nephrology social workers had to adapt to a more diversified role due to patients' amplified need for mental health services among changing public health circumstances.…”

“…This study suggests that nephrology social workers had to adapt to a more diversified role due to patients' amplified need for mental health services among changing public health circumstances. Despite notable challenges in frontline social work in a pandemic, participants outlined the emerging strength of resilience whereby professionals reported feeling equipped to manage the crisis while providing patient care to nephrology patients (Powathil & Anish, 2022).…”

“…During COVID-19, health care social workers reportedly experienced significant personal and professional challenges, including moral distress and psychological challenges, concern for patient well-being and personal safety, changes in workload, and adaptation to service delivery (Ashcroft et al, 2021a;Ashcroft et al, 2021b;Craig et al, 2022;Currin-McCulloch et al, 2022a;Currin-McCulloch et al, 2022b;Donnelly et al, 2021;Fantus et al, 2022;Jones et al, 2022;Joubert et al, 2022;McKenna et al, 2022;Nicholas et al, 2023;Powathil & Anish, 2022;Ross et al, 2021;Ross et al, 2022;Schiff et al, 2021;Schneider et al, 2022;Selvaskandan et al, 2022;Weng, 2022;Wiener et al, 2021). Significant changes in roles were noted as social workers assumed tasks related to advocacy and bridging communication between patients and families.…”

“…Significant changes in roles were noted as social workers assumed tasks related to advocacy and bridging communication between patients and families. They supported patients and families, and social workers navigated barriers of limited resource availability (Ashcroft et al, 2021a;Ashcroft et al, 2021b;Currin-McCulloch et al, 2022b;McKenna et al, 2022;Powathil & Anish, 2022;Ross et al, 2021;Ross et al, 2022;Schiff et al, 2021). Several studies identified professionals' prioritization of maintaining quality care for patients despite experiencing internal stress related to personal and/or family strain, including psychological and/or physical impacts (Ashcroft et al, 2021b;Fantus et al, 2022;Nicholas et al, 2023;Schneider et al, 2022;Shinan-Altman et al, 2022;Weng et al, 2022;Wiener et al, 2022).…”