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Occupational Health and Safety Measures in German Outpatient Care Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

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  • Mara Shirin Hetzmann

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this research.)

  • Natascha Mojtahedzadeh

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this research.)

  • Albert Nienhaus

    (Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Pappelallee 33/35/37, 22089 Hamburg, Germany
    Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Volker Harth

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Stefanie Mache

    (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstr. 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, outpatient caregivers are exposed to new serious health threats at work. To protect their health, effective occupational health and safety measures (OHSM) are necessary. Outpatient caregivers ( n = 15) participated in semi-structured telephone interviews in May/June 2020 (1) to examine the pandemic-related OHSM that have been implemented in their outpatient care services, as well as (2) to identify their corresponding unmet needs. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed by using qualitative content analysis in accordance with Mayring. Available OHSM in outpatient care services described by outpatient caregivers mainly included personal protective equipment (PPE) and surface disinfection means after an initial shortage in the first peak of the pandemic. Further OHSM implied social distancing, increased hygiene regulations and the provision of pandemic-related information by the employer, as well as the possibility to consult a company doctor. Our study revealed that OHSM were largely adapted to the health threats posed by COVID-19, however an optimum has not yet been achieved. There is still a need for improvement in the qualitative and quantitative supply of PPE, as well as on the organisational level, e.g., with regard to the development of pandemic plans or in work organisation.

Suggested Citation

  • Mara Shirin Hetzmann & Natascha Mojtahedzadeh & Albert Nienhaus & Volker Harth & Stefanie Mache, 2021. "Occupational Health and Safety Measures in German Outpatient Care Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:2987-:d:516846
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cohen, Jennifer & Rodgers, Yana, 2020. "Contributing Factors to Personal Protective Equipment Shortages during the COVID-19 Pandemic," MPRA Paper 103496, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    Cited by:

    1. Monika Bernburg & Mara Shirin Hetzmann & Natascha Mojtahedzadeh & Felix Alexander Neumann & Matthias Augustin & Volker Harth & David Alexander Groneberg & Birgit-Christiane Zyriax & Stefanie Mache, 2021. "Stress Perception, Sleep Quality and Work Engagement of German Outpatient Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-24, December.
    2. Natascha Mojtahedzadeh & Felix Alexander Neumann & Elisabeth Rohwer & Albert Nienhaus & Matthias Augustin & Volker Harth & Birgit-Christiane Zyriax & Stefanie Mache, 2021. "The Health Behaviour of German Outpatient Caregivers in Relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-30, August.
    3. Elisabeth Rohwer & Natascha Mojtahedzadeh & Felix Alexander Neumann & Albert Nienhaus & Matthias Augustin & Volker Harth & Birgit-Christiane Zyriax & Stefanie Mache, 2021. "The Role of Health Literacy among Outpatient Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-25, November.

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