The lived experience of healthcare professionals working frontline during the 2003 SARS epidemic, 2009 H1N1 pandemic, 2012 MERS outbreak, and 2014 EVD epidemic: A qualitative systematic review

Abstract

Objective To synthesize qualitative literature exploring the lived experience of healthcare workers (HCWs) who cared for patients during the following infectious disease outbreaks (IDOs): the 2003 SARS epidemic, 2009 H1N1 pandemic, 2012 MERS outbreak, and 2014 EVD epidemic. We aim to reveal the collective experience of HCWs during these four IDOs and to create a reference for comparison of current and future IDOs. Methods Three electronic databases were searched, yielding 823 results after duplicates were removed. Forty qualitative and mixed-methods studies met the criteria for full file review. Fourteen studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data from the Results or Findings sections were manually coded and themes were conceptualized using thematic analysis. Results Of the 14 studies, 28.6% focused on SARS, 21.4% on H1N1, 21.4% on MERS, and 28.6% on EVD. Studies occurred in six different countries and included physicians, nurses, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians as participants. Five themes were conceptualized: Uncertainty, Adapting to Change, Commitment, Sacrifice, and Resilience. Conclusion This review identified the collective experience of HCWs caring for patients during four 21st century IDOs. This qualitative systematic review offers a reference to compare similarities and differences of other IDOs, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 on celebration of death, mortuary, and funerary customs in Bangladesh: A qualitative study

“…According to O'Leary et al [ 44 ], Ahmed et al [ 45 ], and Kamruzzaman [ 46 ], this is not surprising, as the initial fear caused by the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 virus caused many to behave selfishly and disregard humanity. This fear was compounded by the emergence of new social regulations [ 11 ], as well as misinformation and rumors from numerous dubious sources.…”

“…In Bangladesh, a low-middle-income country with one of the world's most densely populated areas [ 10 ], people were discouraged from participating in community gatherings and various cultural rituals, including funerals. They were encouraged to stay home, engage in social distancing, adhere to home quarantine guidelines, and adopt other protective measures due to the fear of COVID-19 [ 11 ]. However, how rituals for the deceased were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic was also influenced by societal norms.…”

Psychological Health in Intensive Care Unit Health Care Workers after the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Similar to the experiences of staff who cared for COVID-19 patients, HCWs who are involved in the frontline care of SARS, MERS, and EVD patients were afraid of contracting the virus or spreading it to their loved ones and were aware that they were risking their safety because of this involvement [ 56 ]. The responses of our sample emphasize the emotional experience with regard to the vaccination status of the patients and the representation of the vaccine as a safety tool for their health.…”

Lessons learned from the experiences and perspectives of frontline healthcare workers on the COVID-19 response

“…Health care workers (HCWs) are essential for responding to the effects of pandemics. Previous studies on the experiences of HCWs during the aforementioned outbreaks have shown that HCWs are at grave risk for contracting new and dangerous diseases, and they work under physical and psychological stress as they navigate new clinical and non-clinical challenges in the health care system (10)(11)(12)(13)(14). These challenges include but are not limited to, increased workloads and sta ng shortages, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), limited opportunities to engage with policymakers, lack of timely training on new procedures and protocols, inconsistent communication from multiple sources, lack of targeted and context-speci c communication and frequent modi cation of infection control procedures and public health recommendations, which increase feelings of uncertainty among HCWs (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15).…”

“…Previous studies on the experiences of HCWs during the aforementioned outbreaks have shown that HCWs are at grave risk for contracting new and dangerous diseases, and they work under physical and psychological stress as they navigate new clinical and non-clinical challenges in the health care system (10)(11)(12)(13)(14). These challenges include but are not limited to, increased workloads and sta ng shortages, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), limited opportunities to engage with policymakers, lack of timely training on new procedures and protocols, inconsistent communication from multiple sources, lack of targeted and context-speci c communication and frequent modi cation of infection control procedures and public health recommendations, which increase feelings of uncertainty among HCWs (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Many of the recommendations emanating from previous outbreaks have called for improved collaboration and communication between public health and primary care, increased workforce sta ng and support, provision of training for redeployed staff and upscaling the knowledge and skills of HCWs in emergency management, infection prevention and control and pandemic preparedness plans (12,15,16).…”