Experiences of Anesthesiology and Reanimation Specialists in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Focus Group Study

Objective: To reveal the opinions and experiences of anesthesiologists, who are actively working during the pandemic that emerged in 2020 and continue, regarding the problems, changes, needs, and solution suggestions regarding the COVID-19 process. Methods: The research was conducted with the qualitative research method. A focus group meeting was held with 6 anesthesiologists who agreed to participate in the study. Thematic content analysis was performed on the data via MAXQDA 20. Results: As a result of the research, 4 main themes and 11 sub-themes were reached. These main themes are experienced problems and changes, needs, contributions to the field of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, and suggestions. Anesthesiologists said that they were adversely affected by the COVID-19 process, working conditions changed, they had problems in the management of emergencies and in the supply of equipment for a long time, and that these problems increased their anxiety and fear with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 disease. When their needs in the COVID-19 process are evaluated, they need the fair distribution of assignments in the health sector, the well-equipped personnel, the improvement of physical conditions, and the elimination of their economic concerns. In addition to the problems experienced, when the contributions of the COVID-19 process were evaluated, anesthesiologists declared that they used the equipment more efficiently and conducted more research by developing treatment techniques. Conclusion: It was determined that the experienced COVID-19 process forced the anesthesiologists, the probability of contracting the COVID-19 disease was high due to their active work, they suffered the loss of rights in the process. It was concluded that it is important to protect the physiological, economic, and psychological conditions of the anesthesiologists and to meet their needs. Keywords: COVID-19, anesthesiologist, qualitative research, focus groups