Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and social professionals working with people with disabilities: A qualitative study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Fortin-Bédard, Noémie^{a; b} | Bouchard, David^a | Ladry, Naomie-Jade^a | Lettre, Josiane^a | Normand, Boucher^{a; b} | Beaulieu-Bonneau, Simon^{a; c} | Lecours, Alexandra^{a; d} | Perreault, Kadija^{a; e} | Annie, LeBlanc | Routhier, FranÇcois^{a; e} | Lamontagne, Marie-Eve^{a; e; *}

Affiliations: [a] Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec, Canada | [b] School of Social Work and Criminology, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada | [c] School of Psychology, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada | [d] Departement of Occupational Therapy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada | [e] Department of Rehabilitation, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada | [f] VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec, Canada | [g] Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Marie-Eve Lamontagne, PhD, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, 525 Boulevard Wilfrid-Hamel, Québec, G1M 2S8, Canada. E-mail: Marie-Eve.Lamontagne@fmed.ulaval.ca.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, protection and isolation measures established by the Canadian and Quebec governments have directly affected the work of health and social professionals (HSPs). These measures have added pressure on HSPs, complexified their work and added tasks to their already busy workload. However, few studies have explored in depth the impacts of the pandemic on HSPs working with people with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to qualitatively explore the experiences of HSPs working among people with disabilities in the province of Quebec, Canada, during the COVID-19 pandemic (January and February 2021), including the impact on their work, the relationships with their colleagues, and on their immediate social and familial environment. METHODS: HSPs participated in a semi-structured interview. A mixed thematic analysis approach, combining inductive and deductive coding, was carried out using N’Vivo 12. RESULTS: Fifty-five HSPs participated in the interviews (mean [SD] age, 42 [9]). They mostly identified as women (91%). Three main themes representing the impacts of the pandemic were identified, including 1) Health and Well-being; 2) Family and social networks including the subthemes; 2.1) Fear of being a vector of contamination for their loved ones; 2.2) Work-family balance; 2.3) Social Network, and finally 3) Work, highlighting, including 3.1) Workload and adaptative strategies developed; 3.2) Relationship with colleagues; 3.3) Perceived support received at work, and 3.4) Services offered to patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of closely tracking and supporting the well-being of HSPs.

Keywords: Healthcare, COVID-19, qualitative research, work, disabled persons, social support, coping skills, work-life balance

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230404

Journal: Work, vol. 79, no. 2, pp. 633-644, 2024