Mental Health Impact and Coping Strategies of Emergency Nurses and Paramedics During COVID-19 in Northern Hospitals of Saudi Arabia Hospitals.
Tracks
Concurrent Stream 3
| Thursday, October 17, 2024 |
| 2:10 PM - 2:30 PM |
| Corinthian Room |
Overview
Tariq Alanazi
Speaker
Mr Tariq Alanazi
Phd Candidate
Latrobe University
Mental Health Impact and Coping Strategies of Emergency Nurses and Paramedics During COVID-19 in Northern Hospitals of Saudi Arabia Hospitals.
2:10 PM - 2:30 PMAbstract
Background: Literature highlighted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency healthcare workers were at risk of a range of mental health impacts. Research on psychological impacts from the pandemic predominantly focused on emergency physicians and recommended more focused research was needed to identify the mental health impacts and coping strategies that may help emergency nurses and paramedics effectively and safely adapt during the pandemic.
Aim: This study explored experiences impacting mental health and coping strategies related to the COVID-19 pandemic for nurses and paramedics in emergency departments of selected hospitals in the northern region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Methods/Intervention/Activity: This qualitative report was part of the main PhD study that was conducted using a purposive sampling of 21 participants (17 nurses and 4 paramedics). Semi-structured interviews guided by an interview schedule and informed by the literature were carried out between December 2022 and January 2023. Thematic analysis employing Braun and Clarke’s (2020) approach was used to analyse the collected data.
Results/Outcomes: Two main themes emerged related to the mental health impacts and coping strategies of the participants, namely: (1) Working on the emergency frontline, comprising two sub-themes: Nature of the work and Team dynamics change; and (2) Wellbeing of self, comprising three sub-themes: Nature of impacts, Support-seeking, and After the pandemic.
Conclusion/Recommendations: The study underscores the importance of maintaining one’s wellbeing and coping strategies while working on the emergency frontline as pivotal in aiding emergency healthcare staff's effective and safe adaptation during crises. These insights may guide nursing leaders and health authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to create mental health support frameworks, enhancing staff wellbeing and coping during crisis situations. The findings may further help in contributing to staff’s psychological safety and promoting teamwork performance in emergency departments against future pandemics' mental health impacts.
Aim: This study explored experiences impacting mental health and coping strategies related to the COVID-19 pandemic for nurses and paramedics in emergency departments of selected hospitals in the northern region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Methods/Intervention/Activity: This qualitative report was part of the main PhD study that was conducted using a purposive sampling of 21 participants (17 nurses and 4 paramedics). Semi-structured interviews guided by an interview schedule and informed by the literature were carried out between December 2022 and January 2023. Thematic analysis employing Braun and Clarke’s (2020) approach was used to analyse the collected data.
Results/Outcomes: Two main themes emerged related to the mental health impacts and coping strategies of the participants, namely: (1) Working on the emergency frontline, comprising two sub-themes: Nature of the work and Team dynamics change; and (2) Wellbeing of self, comprising three sub-themes: Nature of impacts, Support-seeking, and After the pandemic.
Conclusion/Recommendations: The study underscores the importance of maintaining one’s wellbeing and coping strategies while working on the emergency frontline as pivotal in aiding emergency healthcare staff's effective and safe adaptation during crises. These insights may guide nursing leaders and health authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to create mental health support frameworks, enhancing staff wellbeing and coping during crisis situations. The findings may further help in contributing to staff’s psychological safety and promoting teamwork performance in emergency departments against future pandemics' mental health impacts.
Biography
I am Tariq Alanazi, a dedicated individual in the field of nursing and academia, embarking on a PhD journey at La Trobe University, Australia. My educational path encompasses advanced and community health nursing studies, reflecting a broad base of knowledge and experience from both Saudi Arabia and Australia. My research delves into the challenges faced by healthcare workers during global health crises and explores strategies for enhancing patient care. This pursuit has yielded significant insights, particularly concerning the well-being of emergency healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. In addition to my research, I contribute as a lecturer and support worker, roles that keep me intimately connected to the realities of healthcare delivery. These experiences reinforce my commitment to education and patient care. My involvement extends to volunteer activities and memberships in professional associations, underscoring my dedication to the advancement of healthcare and education
