Cited by 36COVID-19 and Mental HealthHealthcare professionals’ stress and burnoutHealthcare Systems and Challenges

Job Demands, Resources and Strains of Outpatient Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: A Qualitative Study

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Mojtahedzadeh, Natascha, Wirth, Tanja, Nienhaus, Albert, Harth, Volker, Mache, Stefanie·2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected health professionals in a special way, as they are responsible for the care of vulnerable groups. Little is known about how outpatient caregivers perceive their working conditions during the pandemic in Germany and about the difficulties they face. The aims of this study were (1) to examine specific job demands of outpatient caregivers in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) to illuminate their job resources they can rely on and (3) to identify potential strain reactions they experience. Fifteen semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with outpatient caregivers working in Northern Germany in the period May–June 2020. Interviews were analyzed by using qualitative content analysis. Outpatient caregivers experienced daily mask obligation, lack of personal protection equipment (PPE) and stricter hygiene regulations as demanding during the pandemic. They also described a higher workload and emotional demands such as fear of infection or infecting others. They perceived team spirit and communication as important work-related resources. Depressive symptoms and feelings of stress were described as strain reactions. Outpatient care services need to be better prepared for sudden pandemic situations and provide their employees with sufficient PPE and education to reduce pandemic-related job demands leading to negative strain reactions.

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  1. [59]Longhurst R. Semi-structured Interviews and Focus Groups Key Methods in Geography Clifford N. Valentine G. SAGE Publications London, UK Thousand Oaks, CA, USA New Delhi, India 2003 103 115

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Authors
Mojtahedzadeh, N., Wirth, T., Nienhaus, A., Harth, V., & Mache, S.
Affiliations
  • University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (DE)
  • Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (DE)
Corresponding author
Mache, Stefanie
Venue
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-04-01
Volume
18
Issue
7
Pages
3684
ISSN
1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3149407295
Cited by
36
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8
FWCI
5.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Healthcare Systems and Challenges
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, job demands, job resources, occupational strain, personal protective equipment, hygienic standards, workload, fear of infection, depressive symptoms, stress, team spirit, communication, healthcare workers, Germany
MeSH terms
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Germany, Humans, Outpatients, Caregivers, Pandemics

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