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Pandemic Experience of First Responders: Fear, Frustration, and Stress

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  • Ann Scheck McAlearney

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Alice A. Gaughan

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Sarah R. MacEwan

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    Division of General Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Megan E. Gregory

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Laura J. Rush

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Jaclyn Volney

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Ashish R. Panchal

    (The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
    Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

Abstract

Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics are on the front lines of crises and emergencies, placing them at high risk of COVID-19 infection. A deeper understanding of the challenges facing first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic is necessary to better support this important workforce. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic, asking about the impact of COVID-19. Data collected from our study interviews revealed that, despite large numbers of COVID-19 infections among the staff of police and fire departments, some—but not all—first responders were concerned about COVID-19. A similar divide existed within this group regarding whether or not to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Many first responders reported frustration over COVID-19 information because of inconsistencies across sources, misinformation on social media, and the impact of politics. In addition, first responders described increased stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused by factors such as the fear of COVID exposure during emergency responses, concerns about infecting family members, and frustration surrounding new work policies. Our findings provide insight into the impact of COVID-19 on first responders and highlight the importance of providing resources for education about COVID-19 risks and vaccination, as well as for addressing first responders’ mental health and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Ann Scheck McAlearney & Alice A. Gaughan & Sarah R. MacEwan & Megan E. Gregory & Laura J. Rush & Jaclyn Volney & Ashish R. Panchal, 2022. "Pandemic Experience of First Responders: Fear, Frustration, and Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4693-:d:792943
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mojtaba Vaismoradi & Hannele Turunen & Terese Bondas, 2013. "Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(3), pages 398-405, September.
    2. Victoria S. Shelus & Simone C. Frank & Allison J. Lazard & Isabella C. A. Higgins & Marlyn Pulido & Ana Paula C. Richter & Sara M. Vandegrift & Rhyan N. Vereen & Kurt M. Ribisl & Marissa G. Hall, 2020. "Motivations and Barriers for the Use of Face Coverings during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Messaging Insights from Focus Groups," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Megan E. Gregory & Sarah R. MacEwan & Alice A. Gaughan & Laura J. Rush & Jonathan R. Powell & Jordan D. Kurth & Eben Kenah & Ashish R. Panchal & Ann Scheck McAlearney, 2022. "Closing the Gap on COVID-19 Vaccinations in First Responders and Beyond: Increasing Trust," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-17, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mingna Li & Bo Zhou & Bingbin Hu, 2022. "Relationship between Income and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, July.

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