We did our Best!: The Experience of Frontline Workers in Long-Term Care during COVID-19 Outbreaks
In Canada, the COVID-19 pandemic had devastating effects for those living in long-term care (LTC) homes, yet little is known about the experiences of the frontline workers who endured in those settings with COVID-19 outbreaks. Specialized knowledge will improve our understanding of the effects of th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Beryl Institute
2024-08-01
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| Series: | Patient Experience Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://pxjournal.org/journal/vol11/iss2/8 |
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| _version_ | 1841554106984955904 |
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| author | Jillian Gratton Lenora Duhn Rosemary Wilson Pilar Camargo-Plazas |
| author_facet | Jillian Gratton Lenora Duhn Rosemary Wilson Pilar Camargo-Plazas |
| author_sort | Jillian Gratton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In Canada, the COVID-19 pandemic had devastating effects for those living in long-term care (LTC) homes, yet little is known about the experiences of the frontline workers who endured in those settings with COVID-19 outbreaks. Specialized knowledge will improve our understanding of the effects of the pandemic on frontline workers (FW), enabling the development of stronger practices. The purpose of this research was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of FW caring for residents in LTC homes during a COVID-19 outbreak, using narrative inquiry. The methods used for data collection include interviews, field notes, and photovoice. Participants were asked to capture photographs representing their experience working during the COVID-19 outbreak at their LTC home. Participants' stories were collected through reflection on their photographs in interviews. The setting for this research was LTC homes in Ontario, Canada. Data analysis followed Frank's hermeneutic method of analysis of stories. Psychosocial effects, support, loss of normalcy, increased workload, and altruism and dedication resonated throughout the three participants' stories. The burnout, stress, and mental exhaustion, as detailed by the participants, emphasizes the importance of protecting the mental health of the FW during outbreaks. Equipping FW with relevant knowledge helped them to feel prepared and confident in protecting the residents, themselves, and their families. Support from management personnel influences the experience of FW during infectious outbreaks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7c3a4ba2c99744b8aa9fc6c61e2bfa73 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2372-0247 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-08-01 |
| publisher | The Beryl Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Patient Experience Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-7c3a4ba2c99744b8aa9fc6c61e2bfa732025-01-08T20:18:38ZengThe Beryl InstitutePatient Experience Journal2372-02472024-08-0111210.35680/2372-0247.1893We did our Best!: The Experience of Frontline Workers in Long-Term Care during COVID-19 OutbreaksJillian GrattonLenora DuhnRosemary WilsonPilar Camargo-PlazasIn Canada, the COVID-19 pandemic had devastating effects for those living in long-term care (LTC) homes, yet little is known about the experiences of the frontline workers who endured in those settings with COVID-19 outbreaks. Specialized knowledge will improve our understanding of the effects of the pandemic on frontline workers (FW), enabling the development of stronger practices. The purpose of this research was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of FW caring for residents in LTC homes during a COVID-19 outbreak, using narrative inquiry. The methods used for data collection include interviews, field notes, and photovoice. Participants were asked to capture photographs representing their experience working during the COVID-19 outbreak at their LTC home. Participants' stories were collected through reflection on their photographs in interviews. The setting for this research was LTC homes in Ontario, Canada. Data analysis followed Frank's hermeneutic method of analysis of stories. Psychosocial effects, support, loss of normalcy, increased workload, and altruism and dedication resonated throughout the three participants' stories. The burnout, stress, and mental exhaustion, as detailed by the participants, emphasizes the importance of protecting the mental health of the FW during outbreaks. Equipping FW with relevant knowledge helped them to feel prepared and confident in protecting the residents, themselves, and their families. Support from management personnel influences the experience of FW during infectious outbreaks.https://pxjournal.org/journal/vol11/iss2/8covid-19frontline workerlong-term carepatient experiencepatient-centered carequality of lifequality of careworkforce engagementhealthcare leadershipnarrative inquiryinfectious outbreakpandemic |
| spellingShingle | Jillian Gratton Lenora Duhn Rosemary Wilson Pilar Camargo-Plazas We did our Best!: The Experience of Frontline Workers in Long-Term Care during COVID-19 Outbreaks Patient Experience Journal covid-19 frontline worker long-term care patient experience patient-centered care quality of life quality of care workforce engagement healthcare leadership narrative inquiry infectious outbreak pandemic |
| title | We did our Best!: The Experience of Frontline Workers in Long-Term Care during COVID-19 Outbreaks |
| title_full | We did our Best!: The Experience of Frontline Workers in Long-Term Care during COVID-19 Outbreaks |
| title_fullStr | We did our Best!: The Experience of Frontline Workers in Long-Term Care during COVID-19 Outbreaks |
| title_full_unstemmed | We did our Best!: The Experience of Frontline Workers in Long-Term Care during COVID-19 Outbreaks |
| title_short | We did our Best!: The Experience of Frontline Workers in Long-Term Care during COVID-19 Outbreaks |
| title_sort | we did our best the experience of frontline workers in long term care during covid 19 outbreaks |
| topic | covid-19 frontline worker long-term care patient experience patient-centered care quality of life quality of care workforce engagement healthcare leadership narrative inquiry infectious outbreak pandemic |
| url | https://pxjournal.org/journal/vol11/iss2/8 |
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