Evaluation of healthcare workers with COVID-19: A qualitative research on the disease process and its effects

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare workers and their experience of the disease. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted using qualitative methods between December 12, 2020 and February 5, 2021 with 30 health workers (23 physicians and seven nurses) who had recovered from COVID-19. The research data were collected using semi-structured interviews during which participants were asked about their socio-demographic characteristics, their experiences of the disease, and the impacts of the disease. The data obtained were grouped according to themes and sub-themes. Results: The participants identified the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral effects of the disease, including emotional responses at different stages of the disease, attitudes towards the disease, changes in dietary style, over-attention to symptoms and vital findings, and changes in prevention measures after recovery from the disease. Participants also identified stress factors, including uncertainty, periods in quarantine, fear of infecting others, identity as a healthcare worker and stigmatization. The impacts of the disease also included increased empathy for COVID-19 patients as well as change of approach to the COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: Providing support for the protection of the mental health of healthcare workers who contract the disease is essential to allow them to continue providing quality patient care. We think it would be beneficial to conduct further research on the nature of psychological support for medical personnel who experience COVID-19.