학술논문
Reports from the frontline: health workers describe COVID-19 risks and fears in five cities in Brazil
Document Type
Original Paper
Author
Kendall, Carl; Ellery, Ana Ecilda Lima; Carneiro Junior, Nivaldo; da Silva Santana, Rosane; Cruz, Luciane Nascimento; Cohen, Mírian; Leal, Marto; Lima, Luana Nepomuceno Gondim Costa; de Sousa Mascena Veras, Maria Amélia; de Fátima Pessoa Militão de Albuquerque , Maria; Lima, Karla Valéria Batista; Martelli, Celina Maria Turchi; Kerr, Ligia Regina Franco Sansigolo
Source
BMC Health Services Research. 23(1)
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1472-6963
Abstract
Background: Health providers are under unprecedented pressures to perform in the COVID-19 health crisis and under unprecedented risks. We initiated a large mixed-method survey of health professionals in five large metropolitan areas in Brazil to document the risks and needs of health professionals. To initiate the study, we conducted formative research.Methods: We conducted 77 open-ended semi-structured interviews online in a convenience sample of physicians, nurses, nurse technicians, and physiotherapists in Belem, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, and São Paulo, Brazil. Design, data collection, and analysis were informed by Rapid Ethnographic Analysis (REA).Results: Responses are organized into three themes that emerged in the interviews: the lack of preparation – both locally and nationally—for the pandemic and its effects on staffing and training; the overlap of personal, family, and professional risk and consequences; and inadequately addressed anxiety and suffering among health staff.Conclusions: Our respondents were unprepared for the epidemic, especially the institutional sequelae and psychological cost. These consequences were exacerbated by both lack of leadership and sweeping changes undercutting the Brazilian health system noted by almost all participants.