Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
2 Department of Adult Health Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Centre, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 Department of Psychology, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
4 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health‑care providers, including physicians and nurses, are vital resources of the
health‑care system, and their health is essential to ensure safe care and to control outbreaks in the
community. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of physicians and nurses infected
with COVID‑19.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive exploratory qualitative study was conducted in 2020.
To conduct this study, 19 participants (5 physicians and 14 nurses) were selected using purposive
sampling. Data were collected using semi‑structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using
conventional content analysis.
RESULTS: Eight main categories of “Fear and anxiety,” “Fighting against COVID‑19,” “Feeling
abandoned during home quarantine period,” “Denial of disease despite testing positive,” “Recovery:
the second opportunity,” “Imposition of psychological burden after returning to work,” “Promotion of the
health professional perception,” and “Promising supportive resources,” as well as 21 subcategories,
were extracted from the participants’ experiences.
CONCLUSION: The experiences of physicians and nurses with COVID‑19 revealed that their
perception of the profession and providing care had changed. This experience has highlighted the
focus and effort to promote patient‑centered care and interprofessional collaboration among them.
Keywords
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