Work Experiences of Family Physicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Purpose –The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected healthcare systems throughout the world. As family physicians are generally the primary point of contact with patients, they have been some of the hardest hit. However, the problems of family physicians are generally ignored and their participation in the formulation of health policies is limited. This research aims to understand the main experiences and problems that family physicians have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Türkiye, one of the countries heavily affected by the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach –This research was used the phenomenology design to investigate the experiences of family physicians regarding the pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-four family physicians working in the Adana province in Türkiye. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings –Family physicians have experienced a variety of problems such as excessive workloads, infection risk, increased anxiety, and reduced socialization during the pandemic. These problems have significant destructive effects on family physicians, such as loss of motivation and an increase in intending to leave the job. The results are discussed under three themes: safety concerns, working conditions, and destructive consequences.Discussion –Health managers should develop strategies by considering the experiences of family physicians to protect and improve their wellbeing. These strategies should improve their working conditions and eliminate infection risks at the workplace