Article
Experiences and training needs of healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from the European GLIDE-19 project
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Authors
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Niels Janssen
- Maastricht University, Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Maastricht, Niederlande
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Annelien A. Duits
- Maastricht University Medical Center, Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Maastricht, Niederlande; Radboud University Medical Center, Dept. of Medical Psychology, Niederlande
| Published: | July 30, 2024 |
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Outline
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Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has implied severe health complications for the whole world population and caused an unprecedented crisis for health care systems. Health care workers have faced high levels of stress, work overload, anxiety, and a higher risk of infection. At the same time, they have faced challenges treating patients with COVID-19, adopting suitable care strategies and treatment of COVID-19 and long-COVID-19 effects, often with insufficient level of information. The aims of the presented study (as part of the GLIDE-19 project) were to identify needs experienced by healthcare professionals in terms of prevention, care and treatment, and rehabilitation, and second, to exchange knowledge, identify best practices, and ideas for creating the online education platform.
Methods: Focus group sessions were organized (Spring 2023) in each participating partners country, being Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. (Health)care professionals who have experience with working with COVID-19 patients or experience working during the pandemic were invited to participate in these focus group sessions. A semi structured topic list was used as guidance for these sessions, focusing on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Cross national analysis was conducted to synthesize national findings and identify overarching themes.
Results: In total, seven focus group sessions were held and in total, 31 professionals participated. Psychologists comprised the main occupation (45%). After synthesizing country specific results, several common themes were identified. Common themes centered around the impact on the patient (e.g., stress, social isolation), the impact on the health care professionals (e.g., sleeping problems, overload, trauma), risk communication and information (e.g., lack of information and communication), measures and care during COVID-19 (e.g., no clear guidelines), and the focus on long-COVID (e.g., definition and approach).
Discussion: COVID-19 caused substantial impact on (health)care professionals. Findings are not only applicable in the context of COVID-19 but are also important to consider for (future) pandemics. The current findings will be used to further develop the GLIDE-19 training course [https://www.glide19.eu/].
Take home messages:
- Although the COVID-19 pandemic has faded away, reflection on this pandemic still elicits strong emotions in health care professionals.
- Experiences and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic should be considered for (future) pandemics, not COVID-19 specific.
