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Table 2 Summary of findings

From: Health care workers’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

Socio-ecological framework of health care workers’ experiences during COVID-19

Themes

Description

Sub-themes

Individual level

HCWs’ well-being, professional and personal identity, daily work–life routine

(-) The pandemic compromised HCWs’ physical and mental well-being

(-) HCWs coped with the pandemic by employing diverse practices and activities

(-) COVID-19 made some HCWs question their career choice

(-) HCWs reported positive impact on their personal and professional identity particularly in the later pandemic stage

(-) HCWs’ perceived well-being differed across settings, occupations and roles in the pandemic

(-) HCWs’ experienced work–life imbalance

(-) COVID-19 disrupted HCWs’ work routines

(-) HCWs experienced negative financial effects

Interpersonal level

HCWs’ relationships with their private and professional environment

(-) HCWs’ were concerned with regard to virus transmission to their private context

(-) HCWs introduced changes to their living situation in response to the pandemic

(-) Interpersonal relationships were generally perceived as supportive by HCWs

(-) Some HCWs felt shunned by family and friends

(-) HCWs valued teamwork, but also experienced challenging collegial relationships

(-) The pandemic compromised HCW-patient communication

Institutional level

Decision-making processes at work, organizational factors and availability of institutional support

(-) HCWs were discontent about institutional leadership

(-) There was a perceived lack of institutional communication and organizational preparedness

(-) HCWs experienced unfair allocation of work and roles in the workplace

(-) There was dissatisfaction with institutional support and resources availability

(-) HCWs advocated for training on health emergencies topics

(-) Power hierarchies emerged as a factor influencing HCWs’ perceived sense of support

Community level

Morale, norms, and public knowledge and support

(-) HCWs’ perception of public support varied across roles and work settings

(-) Ambivalence toward the “hero status” attributed to HCWs

(-) HCWs experienced stigma with consequences on their personal lives

(-) Public awareness of the dangers of COVID-19 was identified as an important factor impacting HCWs’ experiences

(-) Online resources and facilitated information exchanges were perceived as useful by HCWs

Policy level

Perceived governmental response, support and the impact of its measures on HCWs

(-) HCWs’ voiced major dissatisfaction with governmental responses

(-) Guidelines were perceived as contradictory

(-) HCWs reported unequal distribution of governmental support across health facilities

(-) Some governmental measures had a negative impact on HCWs’ personal and work lives

(-) HCWs advocated for clear crisis communication, employees’ rights, and tailored pandemic preparedness and crisis management