Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- . Ziyad F. Al Nufaiei 1
- . Reem H. Alluhibi 1
- . Sama N. Almoshaigeh 1
- . Raghad M. Alzahrani 1
- . Wed O. Baaqeel 1
- . Raid M. Al Zhranei 1
- . Ali S. Al-Shareef 2
- . Genevieve P. Zipp 3
1 Respiratory Therapy Department, College of Applied Medical SciencesJeddah, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Research Office, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2 Respiratory Therapy Department, College of Applied Medical SciencesJeddah, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Research Office, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
3 Department of Interprofessional Health Sciences and Health Administration, Director, Center for Interprofessional Education in Health Sciences, GEM Fellow, Praxis Program of the Advanced Seminar on Mission, Center for Vocation and Servant, Leadership and The Center for Catholic Studies, Bernard J. Lonergan Institute 123 Metro Boulevard/Room 0432/ Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals have fought hard to restrain the COVID‑19 pandemic
by providing high‑quality care for their infected patients, but in doing so they have developed
fears of becoming sick and feelings of isolation and loneliness. The lived experience of respiratory
therapists (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 patients
with COVID‑19.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study utilized qualitative research methods, specifically employing
a phenomenological research design. A total of 25 Saudi RT (RTs) who were in direct contact with
COVID‑19 patients were selected after they agreed to participate in this study. The study followed
a one‑on‑one semi‑structured interview process using the Zoom platform. This qualitative data
collection technique focuses on the participants’ lived experiences and feelings to discover shared
patterns. The data were analyzed via an inductive approach.
RESULTS: Six themes were found in the RT perceptions including stress while treating COVID
patients, managing the fear of catching of Covid 19, feelings towards COVID‑19 patients, challenges
faced by female RTs, workplace experiences, and excessive workload.
CONCLUSIONS: RTs feelings dramatically changed throughout the COVID‑19 pandemic. All the
RTs have developed a self‑copying style that has helped them improve their psychosocial behavior
to face the pandemic. During the outbreak, frontline RTs’ positive and negative emotions intertwined
and coexisted. Negative emotions predominated in the beginning, while good feelings emerged
gradually. Self‑coping methods and psychosocial development were significant factors in RTs mental
health while caring for COVID‑19 patients.
Keywords
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