Experiences of health professionals diagnosed with COVID-19 in coping with the disease

Abstract

Aim This study evaluates the experiences of health professionals diagnosed with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in coping with the disease. Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals faced various physical and psychological difficulties. Many of them were also infected with COVID-19. Methods This study used a descriptive phenomenological approach and was conducted between May and June 2020. The participants were 24 health professionals who were diagnosed with COVID-19. Data were collected by phone using semistructured and in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method with the support of MAXQDA software. Results After the data analysis, the primary codes were extracted, and subthemes were created by categorizing these codes. The subthemes were organized, and themes were created. From the perspective of the participants, four main themes emerged: effects of the disease process on the participants, feelings of the disease process, differences in being infected with COVID-19 as a health professional, and ways to cope with the disease. Conclusion The reactions of the people around them, their feelings and experiences, and their environmental and institutional support systems affected the ways health professionals coped with COVID-19. Implications for health policy and nursing Health managers should provide medical, psychosocial, and legal resources as soon as possible so that health professionals diagnosed with COVID-19 can receive the treatment and care that they need. COVID-19 should be considered an occupational disease by health professionals all over the world.