Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery Journal
Volume 15, Issue 2 (10-2025)
Prev Care Nurs Midwifery J 2025, 15(2): 59-71 |
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Goudarzi F, Goudarzi H, Rashidi K, Hasanvand S. Exploring Healthcare Providers' Experiences of the Preventive Measures and the
Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. Prev Care Nurs Midwifery J 2025; 15 (2) :59-71
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-953-en.html
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-953-en.html
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran , fatemegoudarzi75@yahoo.com
Abstract: (517 Views)
Background: COVID-19, a universal crisis and a communicable disease with a super-spreading characteristic, has necessitated crucial prevention and control measures. Identifying the challenges and obstacles in this process can help in addressing and resolving them.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore healthcare providers' experiences of the preventive measures and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted at Lorestan University of Medical Sciences in 2020. Data collection was performed by in-depth face-to-face interviews with 23 Healthcare Providers (HCPs) who were recruited purposefully. The data were analyzed using conventional content analysis with the Graneheim and Lundman approach using the constant comparison technique. Qualitative data management was performed in MAXQDA 10.
Results: The qualitative data analysis yielded 5 categories, 10 subcategories, 29 ancillary categories, and 1,479 meaning units. Two themes that emerged in this study were “COVID-19 as a Shock” and ‘COVID-19 as an empowering challenge”.
Conclusion: In this study, HCPs perceived the COVID-19 pandemic within the health system as both a devastating shock and a promoting factor, an experience that opened their eyes to the future. According to this lesson, policy and decision makers have to predict other crises like COVID-19 and have a well-defined plan to manage them.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore healthcare providers' experiences of the preventive measures and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted at Lorestan University of Medical Sciences in 2020. Data collection was performed by in-depth face-to-face interviews with 23 Healthcare Providers (HCPs) who were recruited purposefully. The data were analyzed using conventional content analysis with the Graneheim and Lundman approach using the constant comparison technique. Qualitative data management was performed in MAXQDA 10.
Results: The qualitative data analysis yielded 5 categories, 10 subcategories, 29 ancillary categories, and 1,479 meaning units. Two themes that emerged in this study were “COVID-19 as a Shock” and ‘COVID-19 as an empowering challenge”.
Conclusion: In this study, HCPs perceived the COVID-19 pandemic within the health system as both a devastating shock and a promoting factor, an experience that opened their eyes to the future. According to this lesson, policy and decision makers have to predict other crises like COVID-19 and have a well-defined plan to manage them.
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Healthcare providers experienced the COVID-19 pandemic as a three-phase shock (alarm, struggle, exhaustion) but also as an empowering challenge that revealed systemic gaps and promoted integration, prevention, and public health awareness. To build resilient health systems, managers and policymakers must proactively stockpile supplies, invest in workforce training and telehealth infrastructure, and develop clear, adaptable crisis communication and management plans for future emergencies.
Knowledge Translation Statement
Audience: Health system managers, hospital administrators, policymakers, and public health professionalsHealthcare providers experienced the COVID-19 pandemic as a three-phase shock (alarm, struggle, exhaustion) but also as an empowering challenge that revealed systemic gaps and promoted integration, prevention, and public health awareness. To build resilient health systems, managers and policymakers must proactively stockpile supplies, invest in workforce training and telehealth infrastructure, and develop clear, adaptable crisis communication and management plans for future emergencies.
Type of Study: Orginal research |
Subject:
Nursing
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