Experiencing stigmatization during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study among healthcare workers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) played a crucial role in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to increased workloads, they were confronted with stigmatization due to their work in the health sector.

Methods

Guided by the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework (HSDF), this study aimed to explore the experiences of stigmatization of HCWs in Germany using semi-structured interviews (N = 34) and investigate effective coping strategies and existing needs in this context. An intersectional perspective was adopted to examine the relevance of multiple stigmatization. The data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

The results indicated that HCWs were affected by multiple forms of stigmata (public, anticipated, and self-stigma) from differ

SUBMITTER: Danqa D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12418709 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature