Psychological impact of infection with SARS-CoV-2 on health care providers: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Rapid increase in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SAR-CoV-2) infection has also affected many health care providers (HCPs). This study aims to understand personal stories of HCPs affected by SARS-CoV-2, which could help with insights about ways to support them. METHODS: Using a phenomenological approach and purposive sampling method, we recruited participants for semi-structured interviews through a telephone. Data saturation was achieved by the 11(th) participant and two more interviews were performed to confirm the same. Interviews were transcribed, and a seven-step Colaizzi method was used to identify different themes. RESULTS: The psychological impact of SARS-CoV-2 on HCPs who tested positive can be summarized into four broad themes. These are challenges faced by HCPs, social concerns, experience of quarantine period, and positive experiences. Challenges they faced were about dealing with uncertainty, fear of spreading infection, and stigma. In the social concerns theme, what featured was concerns about family, social support from friends and hospital, and stigmatizing experience in neighborhood. In the quarantine experience theme, self-care and desperation to connect prominently colored their emotional and psychological experience. There were positive experiences also, which included personal strength, sense of gratitude, growth, and professional commitment. CONCLUSION: The personal stories of HCPs highlight that while they coped effectively during the recovery process, it may be important to address psychosocial factors of well-being as they worked with patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2.