Table 2. Main findings from focus group interviews in three groups.
| Domains | Core ideas | Total | Group 1a | Group 2b | Group 3c |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Psychosocial issues related to the MERS outbreak | 1) Worries relating to families | Typical (7) | Typical (2) | Typical (2) | General (3) |
| 2) Sense of isolation | Typical (6) | Typical (2) | Typical (2) | Typical (2) | |
| 3) Work-related conflicts and demoralization | Typical (5) | 0 | Typical (2) | General (3) | |
| 4) Long-lasting aftereffects | Variant (4) | General (3) | Variant (1) | 0 | |
| 5) Anxiety about infection and climate of fear | Variant (4) | 0 | Typical (2) | Typical (2) | |
| 6) Responsibility and burden for patients | Variant (2) | 0 | Variant (1) | Variant (1) | |
| 2. Problems in responding to the MERS outbreak in terms of psychosocial aspects | 1) Failure in the initial response to the outbreak | Typical (6) | Typical (2) | Typical (2) | Typical (2) |
| 2) Inadequate management of the quarantined | Typical (6) | Variant (1) | Typical (2) | General (3) | |
| 3) Uncertainty of information and misperception | Typical (6) | 0 | General (3) | General (3) | |
| 4) Difficulties in collaboration between the government and medical institutions, between the central government and the local government, and within hospitals | Typical (5) | 0 | Typical (2) | General (3) | |
| 5) Unprepared personnel | Variant (2) | 0 | Variant (1) | Variant (1) | |
| 3. Positive experiences | 1) Mental health support | Variant (4) | 0 | Typical (2) | Typical (2) |
| 2) Support from the community | Variant (3) | 0 | 0 | General (3) | |
| 4. Future directions for emerging infectious diseases in terms of psychosocial aspects | 1) Mental health support system (target-based approach, standardization, and the role of local governments) | General (8) | Typical (2) | General (3) | General (3) |
| 2) Accurate information | Typical (7) | Typical (2) | General (3) | Typical (2) | |
| 3) Establishment of a response system to an emerging infectious disease | Typical (5) | Variant (1) | Variant (1) | General (3) | |
| 4) Support for survivors and medical staff | Variant (4) | General (3) | Variant (1) | 0 |
aSurvivors, and their family.
bHealthcare professionals working at a hospital.
cHealthcare providers in a community and mental health center.
MERS, Middle East respiratory syndrome.