Back to Search
Start Over
‘Stepchildren of the Ministry’: an examination of the difficulties endured by family physicians in Istanbul during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Source :
- Journal of Primary Health Care; Apr2022, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p57-63, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Introduction. Efforts to contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus would fall short without strong primary health care. Aim. In this study, we aimed to understand family physicians’ experiences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Istanbul, focusing on their coping strategies in order to draw lessons for the future management of pandemics. Methods. Twelve community-based physicians working in Istanbul participated in semi-structured interviews between January and May 2021. Purposive sampling was used to ensure a range of physicians’ characteristics. Individual interviews were conducted with each participant on an online platform. Participants were asked 26 open-ended questions. Phenomenological analysis was performed to describe experiences of physicians. Results. The physical conditions of participants’ health centres were insufficient to provide service safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most physicians were uncomfortable about the quality and quantity of personal protective equipment received from the Ministry of Health and took additional measures themselves. Vaccine supply was thought to be insufficient and there were problems with the associated software. Many family physicians highlighted the inadequate communication from the Ministry. Insufficient knowledge about the disease caused anxiety and fear for the physicians and hindered their performance at the beginning of the pandemic. Physicians who live with their families were more anxious than those who did not. Discussion. Despite challenges, routine procedures have mostly been continued, but newly added responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic have had significant impact on physicians’ lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- GENERAL practitioners
COMPUTER software
STRATEGIC planning
RESEARCH methodology
COVID-19 vaccines
PHYSICIANS' attitudes
INTERVIEWING
CONFIDENTIAL communications
MENTAL health
EMERGENCY management
QUALITATIVE research
PHENOMENOLOGY
RESEARCH ethics
PSYCHOSOCIAL factors
FORECASTING
EMPLOYEES' workload
COMMUNICATION
PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation
JUDGMENT sampling
STATISTICAL sampling
THEMATIC analysis
GOVERNMENT aid
COVID-19 pandemic
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 11726164
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Primary Health Care
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 156382072
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1071/HC21141