Qureshi, Irtiza ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2273-844X, Gogoi, Mayuri, Al-Oraibi, Amani, Wobi, Fatimah, Chaloner, Jonathan, Gray, Laura, Guyatt, Anna L, Hassan, Osama, Nellums, Laura B. and Pareek, Manish (2022) Factors influencing the mental health of an ethnically diverse healthcare workforce during COVID-19: a qualitative study in the United Kingdom (Factores que influyen en la salud mental de una fuerza laboral de atención médica étnicamente diversa durante COVID-19: un estudio cualitativo en el Reino Unido - COVID-19 期间影响种族多元化医护人员心理健康的因素：一项英国的定性研究). European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 13 (2):2105577. ISSN 2000-8066 (Online) (doi:10.1080/20008066.2022.2105577)

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Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been reported to be experiencing a deterioration in their mental health due to COVID-19. In addition, ethnic minority populations in the United Kingdom are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. It is imperative that HCWs are appropriately supported and protected from mental harm during the pandemic. Our research aims to add to the evidence base by providing greater insight into the lived experience of HCWs from diverse ethnic backgrounds during the pandemic that had an impact on their mental health.
Methods: We undertook a qualitative work package as part of the United Kingdom Research study into Ethnicity And COVID-19 outcomes among Healthcare workers (UK-REACH). As part of the qualitative research, we carried out 16 focus groups with a total of 61 HCWs between December 2020 and July 2021. The aim of the study was to explore topics such as their experiences, fears and concerns, while working during the pandemic. The purposive sample included ancillary healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals from diverse ethnic backgrounds to ensure inclusion of underrepresented and disproportionately impacted individuals. We conducted discussions using Microsoft Teams. Recordings were transcribed and thematically analysed.

Results: Several factors were identified which impacted on the mental health of HCWs during this period including anxiety (due to inconsistent protocols and policy); fear (of infection); trauma (due to increased exposure to severe illness and death); guilt (of potentially infecting loved ones); and stress (due to longer working hours and increased workload).
Conclusion: COVID-19 has affected the mental health of HCWs. We identified a number of factors which may be contributing to a deterioration in mental health for participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Healthcare organisations should consider developing strategies to counter the negative impact of these factors, including recommendations made by HCWs themselves.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	mental health, COVID-19, healthcare workers
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	20 Nov 2025 12:18
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/51377

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