Table 2.
Summary Themes and Codes
| Themes | Categories and Codes | No. of Interviews | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme 1: Unpreparedness for the unprecedented pandemic | Nodes and Subnodes | ||
| Node | Pandemic preparedness | 6 | 40 |
| Subnode | ● Dealing with the pandemic was one of its kind of experience | 2 | 5 |
| Subnode | ● Previous experience of dealing with emergencies | 3 | 5 |
| Node | Role during the pandemic | 4 | 5 |
| Subnode | ● Leading from the front | 4 | 11 |
| Node | Support on guidelines | 6 | 30 |
| Subnode | ● Clarity of policies and guidelines | 4 | 9 |
| Theme 2: Addressing the impact upon service delivery | |||
| Node | Addressing staff shortages | 6 | 23 |
| Subnode | Innovating to cover staff shortages | 4 | 14 |
| Subnode | Initial worries about COVID-19 pandemic | 5 | 16 |
| Node | Initial challenges | 6 | 15 |
| Subnode | ● Situation at the start of the pandemic | 2 | 3 |
| Subtheme 1 | Impact upon service delivery | 6 | 18 |
| Subnode | ● Impact on regular patients | 4 | 8 |
| Subnode | ● Resource availability in the clinics | 6 | 26 |
| Node | Initial Steps when Pandemic started | 6 | 29 |
| Subnode | Burden on the staff | 5 | 8 |
| Subnode | ● Vulnerable staff | 5 | 16 |
| Subnode | ● Protecting the staff | 6 | 29 |
| Node | Infection prevention strategies | 4 | 8 |
| Subnode | ● Screening patients at hospitals for COVID-19 | 5 | 10 |
| Subnode | ● Steps for patient safety | 4 | 10 |
| Theme 3: Addressing fear and concern among the staff and in the community | |||
| Node | Psychological impact on staff | 5 | 14 |
| Node | Communicating with staff and authorities | 6 | 20 |
| Subnode | ● Creating awareness in public | 2 | 11 |
| Subnode | ● Dealing with difficult patients | 2 | 4 |
| Subnode | ● Dealing with fear in patients | 3 | 4 |
| Subnode | ● Lack of awareness in patients | 3 | 7 |
| Subnode | ● Plans for vaccination | 5 | 9 |