Identifying the Physical and Emotional Needs of Health Care Workers in Hawai`i During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

A mixed-methods study was performed to identify the physical and emotional needs of Hawai`i health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the degree to which these needs are being met by their clinic or hospital. Qualitative interviews and demographic surveys were conducted with two cohorts of health care workers. Cohort 1 (N=15) was interviewed between July 20 - August 7, 2020, and Cohort 2 (N=16) between September 28 - October 9, 2020. A thematic analysis of the interview data was then performed. Participants' primary concern was contracting the illness at work and transmitting it to their families. Solo practitioners working in outpatient clinics reported more financial challenges and greater difficulty obtaining PPE than those employed by hospitals or group practices. While telehealth visits increased for both inpatient and out-patient settings, the new visit type introduced new barriers to entry for patients. The study findings may serve to better understand the effect of COVID-19 on health care workers and support the development of hospital and clinic procedures. Further research into the impacts of COVID-19 on nurses in Hawai`i is recommended.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Emotional Health; Hawai`i, Health Care; Health Care Worker; Physical Health.

Figure 1.

Number of COVID-19 Cases during the Study Cohorts Note. This figure depicts Hawai`i's cases count from the beginning of the pandemic through the point of data collection of cohort 1 and 2.¹⁸

Figure 2.

Changes in Participant Self-Reported Levels of Worry Note. For Cohort 1, the mean worry in participants increased from 5.7 to 6.3 as time continued. In Cohort 2, the mean worry decreased from 7.4 to 4.3 as time continued.