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Curationis
On-line version ISSN 2223-6279
Print version ISSN 0379-8577
Abstract
MOYO, Idah; MAVHANDU-MUDZUSI, Azwihangwisi H. and HARUZIVISHE, Clara. Frontline healthcare workers' experiences of providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic at a COVID-19 centre in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: A phenomenological study. Curationis [online]. 2022, vol.45, n.1, pp.1-11. ISSN 2223-6279. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v45i1.2292.
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a far-reaching, negative impact on healthcare systems worldwide. Healthcare workers play a critical role in the country's healthcare delivery system, as they facilitate a continuum of care and containment of diseases such as the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of healthcare workers who provided care to COVID-19 patients at a central hospital in Zimbabwe. METHOD: The researchers used an interpretative phenomenological analysis design. In-depth interviews were conducted virtually with 10 frontline healthcare workers working at a COVID-19 centre in Zimbabwe. Data collection was guided by an interview guide. All audio-recorded interview data were transcribed verbatim into written text. Data analysis was conducted using an interpretative phenomenological analysis framework. An expert in qualitative research acted as an independent co-coder and conducted the open coding of each transcript. RESULTS: Findings reveal inadequate preparation and training of healthcare providers before the commencement of duty, resources-related challenges and a lack of support as significant experiences of healthcare providers. Moreover, healthcare providers have been subjected to stigma and discrimination attached to COVID-19, resulting in psychological effects on frontline healthcare providers CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic brings unique and challenging experiences for frontline healthcare workers, resulting in a physically and emotionally drained workforce. This study calls for comprehensive support in the form of counselling, reasonable work schedules, training and adequate provision of personal protective equipment.
Keywords : COVID-19; healthcare workers; experiences; phenomenology; providers of care.