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. 2022 Aug;11(3):e001878.
doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2022-001878.

Through the eyes of hospital-based healthcare professionals: exploring their lived experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pamela Mathura  1   2 , Miriam Li  3 , Jennie Vegt  4 , Zoe Penrod  4 , Yvonne Suranyi  4 , Cathy Osborne  4 , Narmin Kassam  4   2
Affiliations

Through the eyes of hospital-based healthcare professionals: exploring their lived experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pamela Mathura et al. BMJ Open Qual. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: The spread of the COVID-19 virus has caused an unforeseen strain on the healthcare system and particularly on healthcare workers (HCW). In this study, 1 year after the COVID-19 pandemic began, we used photovoice, a visual photographic approach, to understand HCW needs, concerns and resilience and to determine improvement strategies aligned with the HCW-described challenges.

Methods: Using a qualitative design, HCW were recruited from a single Western Canadian hospital, voluntarily submitting a photographic image and narrative that depicts their experiences. An artist artistically enhanced the photovoice submissions, which were then displayed at the hospital-based art gallery for public display. A survey was used to collect feedback from gallery viewers. Inductive thematic analysis was completed identifying themes from the photovoice narratives and survey comments, aiding the identification of recommendations.

Results: There were 25 submissions, and 1281 individuals viewed the art exhibit. Six themes emerged: (1) hopeful and resilient, (2) pandemic fatigue-negative mental and physical states, (3) personal protective equipment is our armour but masks who we are, (4) human connection, (5) responsibility, preparation and obligation and (6) technology surge. According to survey results from the art exhibit, the use of photovoice was a creative method that personalised the HCW experience and validated viewers' perceptions of the difficulties faced by HCW. Ten improvement strategies that were aligned with the described challenges were identified.

Conclusion: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain HCW. Photovoice has great potential in the professional clinical setting to provide unique insights that narrative language alone cannot capture. Future research exploring the longitudinal impact of COVID-19, reviewing photographs at different timepoints could be beneficial. Using this method as a creative outlet intervention and evaluating participation artistic experience may offer additional insights to further support both HCW and patients.

Keywords: COVID-19; attitude of health personnel; burnout, professional; continuous quality improvement; efficiency, organizational.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Photovoice study submission template.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pre and post submission artistic enhancement examples.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Example of three photovoice submissions.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Photovoice art exhibition feedback questionnaire.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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