Healthcare Providers and the Lingering Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose To gain a better understanding of the experiences of healthcare providers caring for adult patients during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A descriptive, qualitative design was conducted using semi-structured interview questions. Eleven participants were recruited from a sample of 28 healthcare providers to participate in video interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Results Healthcare providers experienced continued distress related to concerns about the long-term effects on themselves, their families, and society. Three themes emerged from the data: (1) exhausted and emotionally numb; (2) vaccinated versus the unvaccinated; and (3) stressors and misguided supports. Conclusion The lingering COVID-19 pandemic led to continued distress among healthcare providers. Themes highlight the challenges faced by healthcare providers as they continued to care for patients during the lingering pandemic. Leadership must continue to prioritize support for healthcare providers for the duration of healthcare disasters to promote quality of life, reduce burnout, and increase job satisfaction. Findings from this study can inform the development of much needed institutional support for front line healthcare providers during times of crisis.