• Tapas Chakma, Beena E Thomas, Simran Kohli, Rony Moral, Geetha R Menon, Murugesan Periyasamy, U Venkatesh, Ragini Nitin Kulkarni, Ranjan Kumar Prusty, Vinoth Balu, Ashoo Grover, Jugal Kishore, Maribon Viray, Chitra Venkateswaran, Geethu Mathew, Asha Ketharam, Rakesh Balachandar, Prashant Kumar Singh, Kiran Jakhar, Shalini Singh, Rekha Devi, Kalyan B Saha, Pradeep Barde, Ravinder Singh, Denny John, Bijaya Kumar Mishra, Jeetendra Yadav, Sumit Agarwal, Vishnu Vardhana Rao, and Samiran Panda.
• Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.
• Indian J Med Res. 2021 May 1; 153 (5&6): 637-648.

Background & ObjectivesThe healthcare system across the world has been overburdened due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting healthcare workers (HCWs) in different ways. The present study provides an insight into the psychosocial challenges faced by the HCWs related to their work, family and personal well-being and the associated stigmas. Additionally, the coping mechanisms adopted by them and their perceptions on the interventions to address these challenges were also explored.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted between September and December 2020 through in-depth telephonic interviews using an interview guide among 111 HCWs who were involved in COVID-19 management across 10 States in India.ResultsHCWs report major changes in work-life environment that included excessive workload with erratic timings accentuated with the extended duration of inconvenient personal protection equipment usage, periods of quarantine and long durations of separation from family. Family-related issues were manifold; the main challenge being separated from family, the challenge of caregiving, especially for females with infants and children, and fears around infecting family. Stigma from the community and peers fuelled by the fear of infection was manifested through avoidance and rejection. Coping strategies included peer, family support and the positive experiences manifested as appreciation and recognition for their contribution during the pandemic.Interpretation & ConclusionsThe study demonstrates the psychological burden of HCWs engaged with COVID-19 care services. The study findings point to need-based psychosocial interventions at the organizational, societal and individual levels. This includes a conducive working environment involving periodic evaluation of the HCW problems, rotation of workforce by engaging more staff, debunking of false information, community and HCW involvement in COVID sensitization to allay fears and prevent stigma associated with COVID-19 infection/transmission and finally need-based psychological support for them and their families.

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