Psychological problems among health care workers in a tertiary care centre during covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Thousands of health care personnel are engaged in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care workers (HCWs) who are engaged in caring for COVID-19 positive cases may manifest features of psychological distress and even disorders. OBJECTIVES: To have an in-depth understanding of the mental health problems experienced by the HCWs engaged in delivering care to COVID-19 cases in a tertiary care centre; and also, their preoccupations, apprehensions and felt needs during that period. METHODS: A qualitative study was undertaken among the health care workers of a tertiary care teaching centre in Northern Kerala. In-depth Interviews (IDIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were undertaken among the HCWs including doctors, nurses, nursing assistants and last-grade assistant workers involved in giving care to COVID-19 patients. IDIs and FGDs were conducted till redundancy of information. All IDIs and FGDs were recorded, transcribed and translated to English. The translated data was analysed by free-listing, pile-sorting. domain identification, coding and summarizing. RESULTS: 12 IDIs and 3 FGDs were conducted involving different stakeholders like doctors (faculty members and Junior Residents), nurses, nursing assistants, last-grade assistants and administrators. Increase in psychological problems like anxiety and depression were described by the participants. Physical problems were reported in relation to use of PPE kit. Psychosocial problems like isolation of health care workers by neighbours and family members were also reported. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety and depressive symptoms as well psychosocial problems are the common problems seen in HCWs engaged in COVID-19 duty.