Health professionals' experiences of biological disasters (COVID-19): A phenomenological research

The number and frequency of epidemic diseases are increasing. Biological disasters generally occur in the form of epidemics or pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected humanity with its effects on population and socio-economic areas and has become a biological disaster. Health professionals play a critical role in the management of the COVID-19 biological disaster and are exposed to many challenges and emotional experiences in the process. This research was carried out using a phenomenological pattern and aims to examine in detail the experiences of health professionals working during the COVID-19 biological disaster. In this context, it includes an effort to deeply understand the experiences of health professionals before, during and after a biological disaster. In this context, interviews were held with 15 volunteer-based health professionals who took part in the response to the COVID-19 biological disaster. All interviews were conducted face-to-face and in working environments. A total of 1100 minutes of interviews were conducted with the participants. The data obtained was analyzed with the MAXQDA 2020 qualitative data analysis program and 3 main themes, 7 analytical themes and 23 descriptive themes were determined. Our research has revealed in detail the experiences of health professionals before, during and after a biological disaster. These experiences provide important information in terms of disaster management and emergency planning. Our findings have also determined how these professionals face cope with the challenges and their demands for future biological disasters.