Exploring protective psychological factors of healthcare professionals during COVID-19 in Singapore: A qualitative study

Abstract This qualitative study aimed to explore the psychological impact of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on frontline healthcare professionals (HCPs) both in primary care and hospital emergency departments in Singapore, to understand (1) the experience of HCPs during the outbreak, the new challenges faced on the job, how they were affected psycho-socially, (2) the support received, and (3) the protective factors of psychological distress. Purposive sampling was used to identify frontline HCPs, and those in managerial positions leading clinical teams. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 39 participants from June to November 2020 via a video-conferencing platform, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis using an inductive approach was conducted to elicit themes. We identified themes related to (i) the psychological impact they experienced, and (ii) the protective factors during this challenging period. In terms of psychological impact, work-related stressors such as physical burnout, loss of control and fear of infecting family were common themes. HCPs also experienced increased stress at home due to distancing measures they adhered to in order to protect their family. Themes related to psychological protective factors were also identified, such as resilience, team spirit, social support from peers, family and the public, and psychological readiness for the pandemic.