Evaluation of health care workers with COVID-19: A qualitative research on the disease process and its effects

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: While the COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone in many ways, one of the most affected groups is healthcare workers. The rate at which health workers have contracted COVID-19 is higher than the average rate of community spread. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare workers and their experience of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The research was conducted using qualitative methods between December 12, 2020 and February 5, 2021 with 30 health workers (23 physicians and seven nurses) who were working in Sakarya province and who had recovered from COVID-19. The research data were collected using semi-structured interviews during which participants were asked about their socio-demographic characteristics, their experiences of the disease, and the impacts of the disease. The data obtained were grouped according to themes and sub-themes. RESULTS: Of the participants, 53.3% (n = 16) were female, with an average age of 34.33 ± 7.62 standard deviation (SD) years. The participants identified the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral effects of the disease, including emotional responses at different stages of the disease, attitudes towards the disease, changes in dietary style, over-attention to symptoms and vital findings, and changes in prevention measures after recovery from the disease. Participants also identified stress factors, including uncertainty, periods in quarantine, fear of infecting others, identity as a healthcare worker and stigmatization. Sources of support and motivation for the participants during the disease process included social support, self-psychological support, religious belief, identity as a healthcare worker, and an effective healthcare system. Participants mentioned that there was meaning in their lives after the experience of illness, that their priorities were re-sorted, that they had set new goals, and that they felt gratitude for those who had supported them. The impacts of the disease also included increased empathy for COVID-19 patients as well as change of approach to the COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who contract COVID-19 experience the physical and mental effects of the disease. Providing support for the protection of the mental health of healthcare workers who contract the disease is essential to allow them to continue providing quality patient care. We think it would be beneficial to conduct further research on the nature of psychological support for medical personnel who experience COVID-19 disease. KEYWORDS: COVID-19, Pandemic, Health Worker, Disease Experience, Disease Effects, Mental Health, Qualitative Research