Table 4.
Categories, codes, and select quotations of theme 2: safety and security needs
| Categories | Codes | Quotations |
|---|---|---|
| Physical health and well-being | Medical coverage and benefits Special care to vulnerable staff |
Please allow staff to take hospitalization leave when sick. Due to the number of compulsory sick leave [days] that's given [for respiratory symptoms] during this period, staff are afraid to see the doctor as they worry that it will affect their job appraisal. (Nurse) We need assurance of support for health care workers, in terms of financial and hospitalization coverage, should the staff contract the disease during the course of work. (AHP) Please give care and consideration for vulnerable staff, like pregnant staff and senior staff aged above 60 years, by assigning them to roles with less exposure infectious cases or COVID-19. (Pharmacist) |
| Workplace safety | Clear work directives Streamlined communication Sufficient protective equipment Infection control protocols Ensure personal hygiene |
Communication could have been clearer and more consistent so that staff feels reassured and supportive of the various measures that the institution and government want to implement. (AHP) There are very frequent, often minor changes to the COVID-19 guidelines/protocols, and it can be frustrating to be inundated with messages and email. Duplication of updates could be avoided. (Doctor) Ensure that all departments are aligned with orders… despite rules stipulating segregation, some departments were still gathering in large groups for lunch every day. (AHP) |
| Emotional security | Motivation and encouragement Reassurances Emotional support Frequent and clear updates Tone of communication |
Encouragement from the higher-ups boosts morale on the ground a lot. (Nurse) It is important to reassure those working on the ground that their well-being is being taken care of. (AHP) Information should be provided clearly and fully during outbreaks like these. I understand that the situation is fluid and volatile and much information is still unknown. However, most of our anxiety comes from not knowing what is going to happen next. (Nurse) Senior management should be more tactful with the way they speak… our senior management should learn to treat us like adults and not speak to us like we are kids. They often use very authoritative tones with us. (Nurse) |
| Psychological well-being | Monitor staff mental health Psychological resources and services |
Clinical leaders need to support frontline staff, not only in their physical needs but also in terms of psychological and emotional support. (Nurse) Provide resources such as email circulars or telephone helplines to provide psychological support (AHP) |
| Confidence and trust in leadership | Empathy and understanding Support and guidance Avoid blame and punishment Understanding home needs |
Higher management need to give positive vibes, support us, be on the floor with us, rather than just give orders and expect things to be done as soon as possible. (Nurse) We would like our supervisors to be more empathic… to listen and know staff well as to better understand their difficulties and challenging work environment. (Nurse) If we have to work from home and we have young children below age 7, please do not expect us to "not engage in child-minding activities". It is not a practical expectation. In fact, it creates more emotional and mental stress. (AHP) Getting blamed for things that's out of our control is very demoralizing, especially when we are trying to help as much as we can during this period. (Nurse) |