CHALLENGES FACED BY HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN MANAGING INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS – EXPLORING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BURNOUT, ETHICAL DILEMMAS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS-A QUALITATIVE STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/b0wxrd67Keywords:
Burnout, Ethical Dilemmas, Healthcare Workers, Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Mental Health, Organizational Support, Pakistan, Qualitative ResearchAbstract
Background: Infectious disease outbreaks place immense pressure on healthcare systems, particularly frontline healthcare workers who face complex psychological, ethical, and institutional challenges. Burnout, moral conflict, and insufficient organizational support often co-occur, yet are rarely explored holistically in the context of low- and middle-income countries.
Objective: To explore the psychological burnout, ethical dilemmas, and effectiveness of organizational support systems experienced by healthcare workers during infectious disease outbreaks in Pakistan.
Methods: This qualitative study employed a phenomenological design, conducted over eight months across five major healthcare institutions in Pakistan. Thirty participants—including physicians, nurses, and paramedics—were selected through purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo software to identify recurring patterns and subthemes under each core domain.
Results: Three major themes were generated: Psychological Burnout, Ethical Dilemmas, and Organizational Support. Subthemes under burnout included emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and loss of professional efficacy. Ethical dilemmas encompassed risk to family, resource allocation, and conflict of duty. Subthemes under organizational support revealed inadequate communication, neglect of mental health services, and occasional supportive leadership. Participants described high emotional fatigue, internal moral conflict, and disappointment in institutional preparedness. A few also noted that supportive management reduced distress and improved coping.
Conclusion: The study highlights the intertwined psychological, ethical, and systemic burdens on healthcare workers during outbreaks. Findings emphasize the need for integrated mental health services, clear ethical protocols, and responsive leadership to strengthen workforce resilience during future health crises.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Lubna Jafir, Anam Shahzadi, Nagina Fatima, Misbah Aalia, Amber Rehman (Author)
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