. Ziyad F. Al Nufaiei; . Reem H. Alluhibi; . Sama N. Almoshaigeh; . Raghad M. Alzahrani; . Wed O. Baaqeel; . Raid M. Al Zhranei; . Ali S. Al-Shareef; . Genevieve P. Zipp
Volume 13, Issue 2 , February 2023, , Pages 1-10
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals have fought hard to restrain the COVID‑19 pandemicby providing high‑quality care for their infected patients, but in doing so they have developedfears ...
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BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals have fought hard to restrain the COVID‑19 pandemicby providing high‑quality care for their infected patients, but in doing so they have developedfears of becoming sick and feelings of isolation and loneliness. The lived experience of respiratorytherapists (RTs) in Saudi Arabia who works with these infected patients needs further investigation.The study sought to describe the experiences and coping strategies of Saudi RT managing patientswith COVID‑19.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study utilized qualitative research methods, specifically employinga phenomenological research design. A total of 25 Saudi RT (RTs) who were in direct contact withCOVID‑19 patients were selected after they agreed to participate in this study. The study followeda one‑on‑one semi‑structured interview process using the Zoom platform. This qualitative datacollection technique focuses on the participants’ lived experiences and feelings to discover sharedpatterns. The data were analyzed via an inductive approach.RESULTS: Six themes were found in the RT perceptions including stress while treating COVIDpatients, managing the fear of catching of Covid 19, feelings towards COVID‑19 patients, challengesfaced by female RTs, workplace experiences, and excessive workload.CONCLUSIONS: RTs feelings dramatically changed throughout the COVID‑19 pandemic. All theRTs have developed a self‑copying style that has helped them improve their psychosocial behaviorto face the pandemic. During the outbreak, frontline RTs’ positive and negative emotions intertwinedand coexisted. Negative emotions predominated in the beginning, while good feelings emergedgradually. Self‑coping methods and psychosocial development were significant factors in RTs mentalhealth while caring for COVID‑19 patients.
