The Personal and Professional Impact of COVID-19 on Faculty and Staff at an Academic Institution and a Blueprint for the Future: A Multi-Methods Study

Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused unprecedented challenges within medical centers, revealing inequities embedded in the medical community and exposing fragile social support systems. While faculty and staff faced extraordinary demands in workplace duties, personal responsibilities also increased. The goal of this study was to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on personal and professional activities of faculty and staff in order to illuminate current challenges and explore solutions. Methods:This is a multi-methods, prospective, observational study of faculty and staff within the Department of Medicine at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine, comprised of four separate sites. Participants received a preliminary department-wide survey followed by an invitation to participate in focus groups addressing: (1) the impact on personal and professional activities, on (2) career advancement and promotion, and (3) potential strategies to assist faculty and staff. Qualitative analysis was performed for thematic content of the focus groups.Results: One hundred and fifty-one faculty and staff responded to the initial survey (11%), 28 faculty and staff participated in focus groups. Prior to the pandemic, male respondents spent 20.5 hours (+/- 18.2) on home responsibilities while women spent 28.8 hours (+/-17.9), and since, time spent on these responsibilities rose to 32.4 hours (+/- 18.4) and 49.6 hours (+/-29.0), respectively. Qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts revealed thematic domains: (1) changing domestic responsibilities, (2) changing workplace expectations, (3) the untenable nature of a return to “normal,” (4) an opportunity to address pre-existing inequities and (5) internal conflict and guilt. Solutions were offered and included an emphasis on the importance of community.Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic created burdens for already challenged faculty and staff in both their personal and professional lives, and for women in particular. Swift action and advocacy by academic institutions is needed to support the lives and careers of our colleagues.