A qualitative study of the psychological experiences of health care workers during the COVID 19 pandemic

Background: Health-care workers (HCWs) are at the forefront of managing the massive responsibility of public health response to COVID-19. The aim of the present study was to explore the psychological experiences of these frontline HCWs. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out with 24 frontline HCWs posted in COVID-19 wards, using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Data were collected using focus group discussions and individual interviews, which were transcribed and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework of thematic analysis. Results: HCWs were overburdened. It caused them to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. Most of them showed positive appraisal coping and believed that people would have to learn to live with it. Conclusions: Continued support for professional help is needed for HCWs at present and in the aftermath of the pandemic.