1
|
McGuinness SL, Eades O, Zhong S, Clifford S, Fisher J, Kelsall HL, Kirkman M, Russell G, Skouteris H, Leder K. A longitudinal qualitative exploration of victorian healthcare workers' and organisations' evolving views and experiences during COVID-19. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:596. [PMID: 38715025 PMCID: PMC11077789 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11067-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted individuals, society, and healthcare organisations worldwide. Recent international research suggests that concerns, needs, and experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) have evolved throughout the pandemic. This longitudinal qualitative study explored the evolving views and experiences of Victorian healthcare workers (HCWs) and organisational key personnel during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS We recruited participants from the Coronavirus in Victorian Health and Aged care workers (COVIC-HA) study cohort. We conducted two rounds of semi-structured interviews with HCWs and organisational key personnel from three different healthcare settings (hospital, aged care and primary care) in Victoria, Australia, in May-July 2021 and May-July 2022. Data were analysed thematically using trajectory and recurrent cross-sectional approaches, guided by a temporal change framework. RESULTS Twelve HCWs and five key personnel from various professional roles participated in interviews at both timepoints. Expected themes derived from mid-2021 interviews (navigating uncertainty, maintaining service delivery, and addressing staff needs) evolved over time. Concerns shifted from personal health and safety to workforce pressures, contributing to HCW burnout and fatigue and ongoing mental health support needs. New themes emerged from mid-2022 interviews, including managing ongoing COVID-19 impacts and supporting the healthcare workforce into the future. Clear and consistent communication, stable guidelines and forward-looking organisational responses were considered crucial. CONCLUSIONS Our longitudinal qualitative study highlighted the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HCWs' perceptions, health and wellbeing and uncovered long-term sector vulnerabilities. Analysing HCW experiences and key personnel insights over time and across different pandemic phases provided crucial insights for policymakers to protect the healthcare workforce. Findings emphasise the need for proactive strategies that prioritise HCWs' wellbeing and workforce sustainability. Policy makers must invest in HCW health and wellbeing initiatives alongside healthcare system improvements to ensure resilience and capacity to meet future challenges. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was approved through the Victorian Streamlined Ethical Review Process (SERP: Project Number 68,086) and registered with ANZCTR (ACTRN12621000533897) on 6 May 2021.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L McGuinness
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Owen Eades
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Shannon Zhong
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sharon Clifford
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Jane Fisher
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Helen L Kelsall
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Maggie Kirkman
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Grant Russell
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Helen Skouteris
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Karin Leder
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Davis MJ, Tegnander AN, McKay C, Nehal K. National Laboratory Technician Workforce Shortages: Implications for Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Dermatol Surg 2024:00042728-990000000-00776. [PMID: 38687894 DOI: 10.1097/dss.0000000000004214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Davis
- Dermatology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Camille McKay
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Kishwer Nehal
- Dermatology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lu W, Bakhtary S, Oliver L, Stephens L, Tanhehco Y, O'Brien K. How do we… direct a transfusion service/blood bank with limited laboratory staff. Transfusion 2023; 63:2023-2031. [PMID: 37642158 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfusion services and blood banks in the United States have struggled with staffing shortages for decades. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors have exacerbated these challenges to the point of crisis for many. Meanwhile, providing quality patient care continues to demand accurate test results and safe blood products delivered in a timely fashion. MATERIALS AND METHODS A group of academic Transfusion Medicine Physicians and a Medical Laboratory Scientist from five academic medical centers in the United States met and discussed the steps we explored and took during the staffing crisis that hit during the pandemic. Our goal was to assist our colleagues and the community by detailing the strategies that helped keep us operational during the most extreme staffing shortage we have experienced to date. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We provide both short-term solutions to include hiring temporary and per diem technologists, consolidating testing, and sending out non-time-sensitive testing; and long-term strategies such as recruiting and hiring laboratory assistants, providing retention and referral bonuses, and increasing compensation. The objective is to address the staffing shortage on multiple fronts (e.g., personnel management, testing, and organization) with the objective of not compromising safety, quality, or patient care. The ultimate long-term goal is to advocate for and build a stronger laboratory workforce for tomorrow.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen Lu
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara Bakhtary
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Louige Oliver
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Laura Stephens
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Yvette Tanhehco
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kerry O'Brien
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Law SM, Hardy R, Anderson D, Small L, Hurley J, Beggs L, Campbell Y, Olsen M, Mancini‐Flegel T, Valentine A, Borowitz MJ, Francischetti IMB. Supply chain disruptions due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic lead to an unusual preanalytical error in measuring hemoglobin concentration in a large medical center. EJHAEM 2022; 4:JHA2626. [PMID: 36718355 PMCID: PMC9877861 DOI: 10.1002/jha2.626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel M. Law
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland
| | - Rochelle Hardy
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland
| | - Danna Anderson
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland
| | - Lona Small
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland
| | - Jennifer Hurley
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland
| | - Leon Beggs
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland
| | - Yanka Campbell
- Johns Hopkins Medical InstitutionsSidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns HopkinsBaltimoreMaryland
| | - MiKaela Olsen
- Johns Hopkins Medical InstitutionsSidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns HopkinsBaltimoreMaryland
| | - Tina Mancini‐Flegel
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland
| | - Al Valentine
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland
| | - Michael J. Borowitz
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland
| | | |
Collapse
|