Experiences of Shanghai Medical Workers Who Assisted Wuhan in Fighting Against the COVID-19 Epidemic

Authors: Runv Zhou, Li Xu, Xueyan Li, Caiping Gao, Shikun Xu, Shengjie Liu, Lin Qi, Tao Wang and Weiying Zhang*

Special Issue 1: COVID-19 Disease Characteristics in Different Types of Patients

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to explore the experiences of Shanghai medical workers who assisted Wuhan in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic and provide a reference for the development of later interventions for psychological stress. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using an interpretive description methodology. Fourteen Shanghai medical workers working in the ICU (intensive care unit) and Fangcang Shelter Hospital in Wuhan were selected for semi structured interviews in March 2020. Data collection and analysis were then performed. Results: The fourteen interviewees experienced the following four theme categories and clusters to different degrees: Fighting without hesitation (anxious and nervous, happy and satisfied, calm); brief anxiety and fear (too nervous to sleep, worried about inadequate protection, shock and fear at first sight of the Fangcang shelter); adaptation and adjustment (not fighting alone, distracting oneself by doing what one likes to do, understanding and cooperation among team members, praise and support from patients); and feelings in the moment (continuing to work until the epidemic is under control, sense of professional achievement, avoidance). Conclusions: Medical workers from other provinces and cities alleviated the shortage of medical treatment in Wuhan and ensured effective treatment for COVID-19 patients. Their psychological experiences and coping styles in different periods were quite different and were the true expressions of their emotions. This study will also provide them with further resources and help them gradually return to their original jobs.

Keywords: Experiences; Medical Workers; Mental Health; Phenomenological Study; SARS-CoV-2

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