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Gender Matters: A Gender Analysis of Healthcare Workers’ Experiences during the First COVID-19 Pandemic Peak in England

Author

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  • Nina Regenold

    (Department of Anthropology, University College London, 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW, UK)

  • Cecilia Vindrola-Padros

    (Department of Targeted Intervention, University College London, Charles Bell House 43-45 Foley Street, London W1W 7TY, UK)

Abstract

The coronavirus (COVID-19) arrived in the United Kingdom (UK) in February 2020, placing an unprecedented burden on the National Health Service (NHS). Literature from past epidemics and the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of using a gender lens when considering policy, experiences, and impacts of the disease. Researchers are increasingly examining the experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs), yet there is a dearth of research considering how gender shapes HCWs’ personal experiences. As the majority of HCWs in the UK and worldwide are women, research that investigates gender and focuses on women’s experiences is urgently needed. We conducted an analysis of 41 qualitative interviews with HCWs in the British NHS during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Spring of 2020. Our findings demonstrate that gender is significant when understanding the experiences of HCWs during COVID-19 as it illuminates ingrained inequalities and asymmetrical power relations, gendered organizational structures and norms, and individual gendered bodies that interact to shape experiences of healthcare workers. These findings point to important steps to improve gender equality, the wellbeing of healthcare workers, and the overall strength of the NHS.

Suggested Citation

  • Nina Regenold & Cecilia Vindrola-Padros, 2021. "Gender Matters: A Gender Analysis of Healthcare Workers’ Experiences during the First COVID-19 Pandemic Peak in England," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-22, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:10:y:2021:i:2:p:43-:d:487999
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Sophie Hennekam & Jawad Syed & Faiza Ali & Jean-Pierre Dumazert, 2019. "A multilevel perspective of the identity transition to motherhood," Post-Print hal-03232775, HAL.
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    1. Elena Andina-Díaz & María Isabel Ventura-Miranda & Enedina Quiroga-Sánchez & Ángela María Ortega-Galán & Isabel María Fernández-Medina & María Dolores Ruiz-Fernández, 2023. "Nursing Students’ Perception about Gender Inequalities Presented on Social Networks: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-11, January.
    2. Enedina Quiroga-Sánchez & Natalia Calvo-Ayuso & Cristina Liébana-Presa & Bibiana Trevissón-Redondo & Pilar Marqués-Sánchez & Natalia Arias-Ramos, 2023. "Life Habits of Healthcare Professionals during the Third Wave of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Spanish Hospital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-11, February.

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