Psychological health and wellbeing of primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: a longitudinal qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) are at the frontline of dealing with viral pandemics. They may experience significant psychological stresses, which have hitherto not been examined in depth. We aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological health and wellbeing of frontline PHCWs in Malaysia.

Method

We purposively recruited PHCWs with diverse backgrounds in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Using longitudinal qualitative methods, we conducted two sequential semi-structured telephone interviews, 3 to 4 weeks apart, to capture different stages of the pandemic. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically.

Result

Twenty-one PHCWs participated yielding a total of forty-two interviews. Themes clustered around

SUBMITTER: Khoo EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9558025 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature