Individual- and Institutional-level Concerns of Health Care Workers in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Key Points Question What have been the range of concerns and the sources of distress among health care workers in Canada as the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved? Findings In this qualitative study of a public online COVID-19 forum available for 21\u2009555 employees in a university health network, common concerns relating to the pandemic included risks of contamination, appropriate personal protective equipment, and worker safety. Although these concerns manifested as individual distress, they also intersected with and were reflective of concerns relating to health care institutions’ policies, communication practices, and politics. Meaning The findings suggest that a mismatch between institutional sources of concern and individual-level interventions may affect the uptake of mental health supports even as the level of distress remains high.