Examining the challenging experiences of healthcare workers and their coping processes during the pandemic: A phenomenological analysis -A case study of a private hospital

The aim of the study is to examine what the medical secretaries working in the hospital during the COVID-19 Pandemic period as assistant health personnel experienced in this process. It is aimed to determine the effects of the epidemic period. This study, in which the qualitative research method was used, was carried out in a phenomenological design. The working group established for the sampling method, consisted of 10 individuals who worked as a female medical secretary, aged between 28-35 years, at least 3 years of experience in the hospital, married and have children. In addition to the personal information form, a 9-item semi-structured interview form including open-ended questions was prepared to collect the data. As a result of the analyzes, there were five upper themes, and 12 sub-themes belonging to these themes. The results of the research showed that The sense of responsibility brought by being a mother, uncertainty triggering uneasiness, feeling stigmatized and excluded, illness anxiety turning into anger and accepting the current situation in this process. It is important to determine the problems experienced in health workers during the pandemic period of the study. It will also make important contributions to take measures. This study will contribute to the limited number of qualitative studies aimed at understanding the impact of COVID-19 on female health workers. It is expected to contribute to the work to be done and the measures to be taken by health workers during periods of health problems such as pandemics. Keywords: COVID-19, Healthcare Professional, Medical Secretary, Qualitative analysis, Interpretive Phenomenological analysis.