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The Biggest Challenges Resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic on Gender-Related Work from Home in Biomedical Fields—World-Wide Qualitative Survey Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Eva Bezak

    (Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Kristin V. Carson-Chahhoud

    (Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
    Australian Centre for Precision Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
    School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Loredana G. Marcu

    (Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
    Faculty of Informatics and Science, University of Oradea, 1 Universitatii Str., 410087 Oradea, Romania)

  • Magdalena Stoeva

    (Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria)

  • Lenka Lhotska

    (Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, 160 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic)

  • Gilda A. Barabino

    (Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA 02492, USA)

  • Fatimah Ibrahim

    (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Eleni Kaldoudi

    (School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Alexandroupoli, Greece)

  • Sierin Lim

    (School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637457, Singapore)

  • Ana Maria Marques da Silva

    (School of Technology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil)

  • Peck Ha Tan

    (School of Engineering, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore 599489, Singapore)

  • Virginia Tsapaki

    (Medical Physics Department, Konstantopoulio General Hospitals, Nea Ionia, 14233 Athens, Greece)

  • Monique Frize

    (Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada)

Abstract

(1) Background: This paper aims to present and discuss the most significant challenges encountered by STEM professionals associated with remote working during the COVID-19 lockdowns. (2) Methods: We performed a qualitative analysis of 921 responses from professionals from 76 countries to the open-ended question: “What has been most challenging during the lockdown for you, and/or your family?” (3) Findings: Participants reported challenges within the immediate family to include responsibilities for school, childcare, and children’s wellbeing; and the loss of social interactions with family and friends. Participants reported increased domestic duties, blurred lines between home and work, and long workdays. Finding adequate workspace was a problem, and adaptations were necessary, especially when adults shared the same setting for working and childcare. Connectivity issues and concentration difficulties emerged. While some participants reported employers’ expectations did not change, others revealed concerns about efficiency. Mental health issues were expressed as anxiety and depression symptoms, exhaustion and burnout, and no outlets for stress. Fear of becoming infected with COVID-19 and uncertainties about the future also emerged. Pressure points related to gender, relationship status, and ethnicities were also evaluated. Public policies differed substantially across countries, raising concerns about the adherence to unnecessary restrictions, and similarly, restrictions being not tight enough. Beyond challenges, some benefits emerged, such as increased productivity and less time spent getting ready for work and commuting. Confinement resulted in more quality time and stronger relationships with family. (4) Interpretation: Viewpoints on positive and negative aspects of remote working differed by gender. Females were more affected professionally, socially, and personally than males. Mental stress and the feeling of inadequate work efficiency in women were caused by employers’ expectations and lack of flexibility. Working from home turned out to be challenging, primarily due to a lack of preparedness, limited access to a dedicated home-office, and lack of previous experience in multi-layer/multi-scale environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Eva Bezak & Kristin V. Carson-Chahhoud & Loredana G. Marcu & Magdalena Stoeva & Lenka Lhotska & Gilda A. Barabino & Fatimah Ibrahim & Eleni Kaldoudi & Sierin Lim & Ana Maria Marques da Silva & Peck Ha, 2022. "The Biggest Challenges Resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic on Gender-Related Work from Home in Biomedical Fields—World-Wide Qualitative Survey Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:3109-:d:765337
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Melanie Arntz & Sarra Ben Yahmed & Francesco Berlingieri, 2020. "Working from Home and COVID-19: The Chances and Risks for Gender Gaps," Intereconomics: Review of European Economic Policy, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics;Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), vol. 55(6), pages 381-386, November.
    2. Victoria Costoya & Lucía Echeverría & María Edo & Ana Rocha & Agustina Thailinger, 2022. "Gender Gaps within Couples: Evidence of Time Re-allocations during COVID-19 in Argentina," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 213-226, June.
    3. Fernando Ferri & Patrizia Grifoni & Tiziana Guzzo, 2020. "Online Learning and Emergency Remote Teaching: Opportunities and Challenges in Emergency Situations," Societies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-18, November.
    4. Monique Frize & Lenka Lhotska & Loredana G. Marcu & Magdalena Stoeva & Gilda Barabino & Fatimah Ibrahim & Sierin Lim & Eleni Kaldoudi & Ana Maria Marques da Silva & Peck Ha Tan & Virginia Tsapaki & Ev, 2021. "The impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on gender‐related work from home in STEM fields—Report of the WiMPBME Task Group," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(S2), pages 378-396, July.
    5. Virginia Gewin, 2021. "Pandemic burnout is rampant in academia," Nature, Nature, vol. 591(7850), pages 489-491, March.
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