Challenges and Coping Strategies Among Healthcare Workers: A Case Study of COVID-19 Situation in Islamabad

Abstract

This research is a qualitative study which aims to explore the challenges faced by the healthcare workers amid the Covid-19 pandemic and identifying the coping mechanisms healthcare workers utilized for overcoming and coping up with the challenges experienced. It analyzes the challenges and coping strategies among healthcare workers during Covid-19 situation in Islamabad. The locale for this research was the District Health Office located in G9 and PIMS hospital located in G8, Islamabad. Qualitative data collection tools such as semi-structured interview guide and indepth interviews were used for collecting data for the research and the collected data was analyzed based on thematic analysis. The findings of this research revealed that the healthcare workers faced multiple challenges relating to administration, mental health and other general challenges. The prevalent challenges had a profound impact on the mental health of the healthcare workers who had been working on the frontlines during the Covid-19 Pandemic. While working on the frontlines during the pandemic, the healthcare workers faced social isolation, separation from families, death of loved ones, and experienced feelings of fear, anxiety and depression owing to the pertaining challenges. Working for an extended period of time, and putting in extra hours for overcoming the increased workload, affected the lives of healthcare workers in countless ways, such as loss of social life which resulted in the exacerbation of mental health concerns. This research also highlights the role of faith, hope, strong will and dedication as coping mechanisms among the healthcare workers for pulling through the pandemic and keeping people safe from the covid-19 virus. Furthermore, a deep sense of responsibility was identified among the healthcare workers. This study provides a different perspective into the lives of the healthcare workers and how they coped with the challenges while battling the Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan. In addition, it suggests the necessary changes that need to be brought into Pakistan’s healthcare system for making it more effective and efficient.