1
|
Santosh S, Kane S. Extending Kingdon's Multiple Streams Policy Framework Through an Analysis of How Community Health Workers in India Are Driving Policy Changes. COMMUNITY HEALTH EQUITY RESEARCH & POLICY 2023:2752535X231222654. [PMID: 38105229 DOI: 10.1177/2752535x231222654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we develop and provide a novel account of the process through which the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), a cadre of seemingly powerless community health workers in India, are navigating a complex policy process to incrementally achieve their goals. ASHAs have been demanding better working conditions, better compensation, and regularisation as public service employees through protests and strikes and have managed to gain concessions from both the Central and various State governments. We observed two important aspects that emerged: (a) ASHAs achieved incremental increases in their wages despite being the lowest in the health system hierarchy, and, (b) major gains were made during the 2 years of the pandemic. We examine and analyse ASHAs' engagement and strategies used, both overt and covert, sometimes with the government, and the role of other actors in determining these policy outcomes. We do so by drawing on academic literature and news media reports; we trace the changes in ASHAs' wages by tying together key events, 'windows of opportunity', and actions of 'policy entrepreneurs' involved in the process.In doing so, we further develop and propose an extension to Kingdon's multiple streams policy framework through the addition of a 'narrative stream'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjana Santosh
- Centre for Health Policy and Systems, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, India
| | - Sumit Kane
- Centre for Health Policy and Systems, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, India
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Munasinghe NL, O'Reilly G, Cameron P. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 response in Sri Lankan hospitals: an interview of frontline healthcare professionals. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1280055. [PMID: 38125853 PMCID: PMC10731292 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1280055] [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: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the lack of preparedness in health systems, even in developed countries. Studies published on COVID-19 management experiences in developing countries, including Sri Lanka, are significantly low. Therefore, lessons learned from pandemic management would be immensely helpful in improving health systems for future disaster situations. This study aimed to identify enablers and barriers to COVID-19 management in Sri Lankan hospitals through healthcare workers' perceptions. Methods Frontline doctors and nurses from different levels of public hospitals were interviewed online. Both inductive and deductive coding and thematic analysis were performed on the transcribed data. Result and discussion This study identified four themes under enablers: preparing for surge, teamwork, helping hands and less hospital-acquired infections. Seven themes were identified as barriers: lack of information sharing, lack of testing facilities, issues with emergency equipment, substandard donations, overwhelmed morgues, funding issues and psychological impact. These preparedness gaps were more prominent in smaller hospitals compared with larger hospitals. Recommendations were provided based on the identified gaps. Conclusion The insights from this study will allow health administrators and policymakers to build upon their hospital's resources and capabilities. These findings may be used to provide sustainable solutions, strengthening the resilience of the local Sri Lankan health system as well as the health systems of other countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nimali Lakmini Munasinghe
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sharma SK, Joseph J, Dhandapani M, Varghese A, Radha K, Das K, Jangra N, Rozha P, Varkey BP, Rachel R. The Psychological Morbidity among Health Care Workers During the Early Phase of Covid-19 Pandemic in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Indian J Community Med 2023; 48:12-23. [PMID: 37082389 PMCID: PMC10112745 DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_159_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Across India, there have been multiple studies conducted to address the issues of the mental health of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study estimated the pooled prevalence of psychological morbidity among healthcare workers during the early phase of the COVID 19 pandemic in India. We searched the following electronic bibliographic databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley online library, and Google scholar for studies conducted from the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic until 25 September 2021. The methodological quality of each study was scored and outcome measures with uniform cut off scores as per various screening measurements were evaluated. According to the current meta analysis, the pooled estimates of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia among Indian healthcare workers during the COVID 19 pandemic are 20.1% (95% CI: 15.6 to 24.6%; n = 21 studies), 25.0% (95% CI: 18.4 to 31.6%; n = 20 studies), 36% (95% CI: 23.7 to 48.2%; n = 22 studies) and 18.9% (95% CI: 9.9 to 28.0%; n = 6 studies) respectively. In subgroup analyses, low quality studies based on the JBI checklist (Score < 3/9) and studies using DASS 21 showed a higher pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety. About 20-36% of the healthcare workers in India reported having depression, anxiety, and stress during the early phase of the COVID 19 pandemic. The present study provides a comprehensive review of the overall burden of mental health problems among healthcare workers during the COVID 19 pandemic in India necessitating appropriate intervention strategies to protect these frontline groups before the memory of the pandemic crisis starts to fade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suresh K. Sharma
- College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Jaison Joseph
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing, College of Nursing, Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Manju Dhandapani
- National Institute of Nursing Education, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Abin Varghese
- College of Nursing, AIIMS, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
| | - K Radha
- College of Nursing, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Karobi Das
- Principal (Rtd), National Institute of Nursing Education, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Nisha Jangra
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing, College of Nursing, Pt. BD Sharma University of Health Sciences, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Promila Rozha
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing, College of Nursing, Pt. BD Sharma University of Health Sciences, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Biji P. Varkey
- Directorate General of Health Services, Govt. of Kerala, India
| | - Regina Rachel
- Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry GTB Hospital, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Garfin DR, Djokovic L, Cohen Silver R, Holman EA. Acute stress, worry, and impairment in health care and non-health care essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA : THEORY, RESEARCH, PRACTICE AND POLICY 2022; 14:1304-1313. [PMID: 35482684 PMCID: PMC9728043 DOI: 10.1037/tra0001224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Health care and non-health care essential workers working in face-to-face interactions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may be vulnerable to psychosocial distress. Limited empirical research on COVID-19-related psychosocial outcomes has utilized probability-based samples including both health care and non-health care essential workers. METHOD We surveyed a sample of 1,821 United States self-identified essential workers, collected using probability-based methods, working in face-to-face interactions during the early phase of the COVID-19 outbreak (March 18, 2020 through April 18, 2020), in three consecutive 10-day cohorts. We assessed acute stress, health-related worries, and functional impairment. Demographics, secondary stressors (lack of childcare or health care, lost wages), and pre-COVID-19 mental and physical health were examined as predictors of psychological outcomes. RESULTS Acute stress (β = .08, p = .001), health-related worries (β = .09, p = .001), and functional impairment (β = .05, p = .034) increased over time in the early weeks of the outbreak. Health care essential workers reported lower functional impairment (β = -.06, p = .009) and acute stress (β = -.06, p = .015) compared with non-health care essential workers. Across the sample, prior mental and physical health ailments, inability to obtain health care, lost wages, younger age, female gender, and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with acute stress (βs = -.14 to .15, ps ≤ .001), health-related worries (βs = -.09 to .14, ps ≤ .001), and functional impairment (βs = -.08 to .16, ps ≤ .006). Lack of childcare (β = .09, p < .001) was positively associated with acute stress. CONCLUSION Non-health care essential workers may be vulnerable to negative psychosocial outcomes. Targeted training and support may help facilitate coping with the effects of working in-person during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Findings may help inform intervention efforts, critical as COVID-19 becomes endemic and society must learn to live with its evolving variants. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dana Rose Garfin
- Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Lindita Djokovic
- Department of Counseling, Clinical, & School Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Roxane Cohen Silver
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - E. Alison Holman
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Duva IM, Higgins MK, Baird M, Lawson D, Murphy JR, Grabbe L. Practical resiliency training for healthcare workers during COVID-19: results from a randomised controlled trial testing the Community Resiliency Model for well-being support. BMJ Open Qual 2022; 11:bmjoq-2022-002011. [DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2022-002011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveTo introduce the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) as mental well-being support for healthcare workers working through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignRandomised controlled trial with a no treatment control group.SettingTwo large urban health systems in the Southern United States between October 2020 and June 2021.ParticipantsEligible participants were currently employed as healthcare workers within the participating healthcare systems. 275 employees registered and consented electronically in response to email invitations. 253 participants completed the baseline survey necessary to be randomised and included in analyses.InterventionParticipants were assigned 1:1 to the control or intervention group at the time of registration. Intervention participants were then invited to 1-hour virtual CRM class teaching skills to increase somatic awareness in the context of self and other care.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported data were collected rating somatic awareness, well-being, symptoms of stress, work engagement and interprofessional teamwork.ResultsBaseline data on the total sample of 275 (53% nurses) revealed higher symptoms of stress and lower well-being than the general population. The intervention participants who attended a CRM class (56) provided follow-up survey data at 1 week (44) and 3 months (36). Significant improvement for the intervention group at 3 months was reported for the well-being measures (WHO-5, p<0.0087, d=0.66; Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, p<0.0004, d=0.66), teamwork measure (p≤0.0002, d=0.41) and stress (Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, p=0.0058, d=46).ConclusionBaseline results indicate mental health is a concern for healthcare workers. Post intervention findings suggest that CRM is a practical approach to support well-being for healthcare workers during a crisis such as this pandemic. The simple tools that comprise the model can serve as a starting point for or complement self-care strategies to enhance individual resilience and buffer the effects of working in an increasingly stressful work environment.
Collapse
|
6
|
Chakma T, Thomas BE, Kohli S, Moral R, Menon GR, Periyasamy M, Venkatesh U, Kulkarni RN, Prusty RK, Balu V, Grover A, Kishore J, Viray M, Venkateswaran C, Mathew G, Ketharam A, Balachandar R, Singh PK, Jakhar K, Singh S, Devi R, Saha KB, Barde P, Singh R, John D, Mishra BK, Yadav J, Agarwal S, Rao VV, Panda S. Psychosocial impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers in India & their perceptions on the way forward - A qualitative study. Indian J Med Res 2021; 153:637-648. [PMID: 34596596 PMCID: PMC8555609 DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_2204_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & objectives: The healthcare system across the world has been overburdened due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting healthcare workers (HCWs) in different ways. The present study provides an insight into the psychosocial challenges faced by the HCWs related to their work, family and personal well-being and the associated stigmas. Additionally, the coping mechanisms adopted by them and their perceptions on the interventions to address these challenges were also explored. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted between September and December 2020 through in-depth telephonic interviews using an interview guide among 111 HCWs who were involved in COVID-19 management across 10 States in India. Results: HCWs report major changes in work-life environment that included excessive workload with erratic timings accentuated with the extended duration of inconvenient personal protection equipment usage, periods of quarantine and long durations of separation from family. Family-related issues were manifold; the main challenge being separated from family, the challenge of caregiving, especially for females with infants and children, and fears around infecting family. Stigma from the community and peers fuelled by the fear of infection was manifested through avoidance and rejection. Coping strategies included peer, family support and the positive experiences manifested as appreciation and recognition for their contribution during the pandemic. Interpretation & conclusions: The study demonstrates the psychological burden of HCWs engaged with COVID-19 care services. The study findings point to need-based psychosocial interventions at the organizational, societal and individual levels. This includes a conducive working environment involving periodic evaluation of the HCW problems, rotation of workforce by engaging more staff, debunking of false information, community and HCW involvement in COVID sensitization to allay fears and prevent stigma associated with COVID-19 infection/transmission and finally need-based psychological support for them and their families.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tapas Chakma
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Beena E Thomas
- Department of Social & Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Simran Kohli
- ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi, India
| | - Rony Moral
- Department of Social & Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Geetha R Menon
- ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi, India
| | - Murugesan Periyasamy
- Department of Social & Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - U Venkatesh
- Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Ragini Nitin Kulkarni
- Department of Operational Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ranjan Kumar Prusty
- Department of Biostatistics, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vinoth Balu
- Department of Social & Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ashoo Grover
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Jugal Kishore
- Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Maribon Viray
- Department of Psychology, Martin Luther Christian University, Meghalaya, India
| | - Chitra Venkateswaran
- Department of Psychiatry, Believers Church Medical College, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India
| | - Geethu Mathew
- ICMR-Regional Occupational Health Centre-Southern, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Asha Ketharam
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Rakesh Balachandar
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Prashant Kumar Singh
- Division of Preventive Oncology & Population Health, ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention & Research, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kiran Jakhar
- Department of Psychiatry, Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shalini Singh
- ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention & Research, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rekha Devi
- ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, N.E. Region, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Kalyan B Saha
- Department of Social Sciences & Ethnomedicine, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Pradeep Barde
- Division of Virology & Zoonotic Diseases, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Ravinder Singh
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Denny John
- Department of Public Health, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Bijaya Kumar Mishra
- Department of Clinical Research, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Jeetendra Yadav
- ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi, India
| | - Sumit Agarwal
- Division of Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Samiran Panda
- Division of Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Buttars B, Fountain L, Goodwin J, McLean J, Olsen J, Hatton T, Grant WC, Vasauskas A, Hamilton C, Clemmons M. The Impact of Community Generated PPE During the SARS-COV-2 Pandemic in Southeast Alabama and Gulfport Mississippi. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2021; 1:786062. [PMID: 36926491 PMCID: PMC10012709 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2021.786062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background: The early stages of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic left many hospital systems devoid of personal protective equipment. Community-driven groups manufactured Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as a form of temporary replacement until supply could increase to frontline healthcare workers. The purpose of this study was to survey hospital systems in Alabama and Mississippi who requested and received PPE to determine recipient opinions concerning community involvement. Methods: A 15-question Qualtrics survey was distributed to hospital systems who requested and received community-generated PPE (CGPPE) from the group known as Alabama Fighting COVID. 275 responses were gathered over a period of 6 months. Results: Survey data showed that most respondents from healthcare and healthcare-associated professions responded that wearing community generated personal protective equipment provided them with the perception of added protection (55.31% of participants selected either "Agree" or "Strongly Agree"), and that it improved their outlook and desire to work during the pandemic (51.77% of participants selected either "Agree" or "Strongly Agree"). Conclusions: Most respondents reported that wearing community generated personal protective equipment not only provided them with the perception of added protection, but that it improved their outlook and desire to work during the pandemic. With these responses in mind, our study raises questions concerning whether local CGPPE distribution could improve well-ness outcomes of healthcare workers (HCWs) not only in relation to decreased viral transmission, but also in favorable psychosocial health assessments. Further implications for research concerning community involvement during future medical crises are indicated, especially with the current rise of the delta variant strain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Buttars
- Department of Research, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL, United States
| | - Leigh Fountain
- Department of Research, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL, United States
| | - Joseph Goodwin
- Department of Research, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL, United States
| | - Jessica McLean
- Department of Research, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL, United States
| | - John Olsen
- Department of Research, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL, United States.,Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and Infirmary Health Department of Internal Medicine Residency, Fairhope, AL, United States
| | - Trey Hatton
- Department of Research, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL, United States
| | - William C Grant
- Department of Research, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL, United States
| | - Audrey Vasauskas
- Department of Research, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL, United States
| | - Caleb Hamilton
- Department of Biology, Troy University, Troy, AL, United States
| | - Martin Clemmons
- Department of Research, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL, United States
| |
Collapse
|