The Lived Experience of Health Care Workers during the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Content Analysis Study

Abstract Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) pandemic in Iran is part of the worldwide pandemic of the COVID-۱۹ caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus. The present study has aimed to identify, through a qualitative methodology, the lived experiences of the Health Care Workers (HCWs) who are the most important group to keep others safe, alive, and healthy in the COVID-۱۹ patients' ward in Iran. Method: A conventional content analysis method was conducted on ۱۱ HCWs involved with COVID-۱۹ patients by purposeful sampling. Their experiences were explored through in-depth semi structured interviews. Results: The conventional content analysis revealed five themes: ۱- Experiencing psychological distress without sufficient psychological services; ۲- Experiencing multiple stressors that gradually reduced; ۳- Using coping skills; ۴- Family and public support; ۵- Media, Medical Community, and Government Officials role Conclusion: It can be concluded that HCWs need bio-psycho-social-spiritual protection from family, public, media, officials and government.

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Keywords: Content Analysis , Coronavirus Outbreak , Health care workers , Qualitative study