Health and social care workers’ quality of working life and coping while working during the Covid-19 pandemic: A three phase study

Project status

Ongoing

Contact

Patricia Gillen

Institution web page

https://www.ulster.ac.uk/staff/p-gillen

Host institution

School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences, Ulster University, Northern Ireland

Team members

Paula McFadden (Ulster University), Patricia Gillen (Ulster University), John Mallet (Ulster University), Heike Schroder (Queen’s University Belfast), John Moriarty (Queen’s University Belfast), Jill Manthorpe (King’s College London), Jermaine Ravalier (Bath Spa University), Denise Currie (Queen’s University Belfast), Susan McGrory (Ulster University), Patricia Nicholl (Ulster University) and Ruth Neill (Ulster University).

Funding information (if funded)

This study is funded by HSC R&D Division of the Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland (COVID Rapid Response Funding Scheme COM/5603/20), the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, with support from England’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce.

Project Summary

The study aims to explore the impact of providing health and social care during the Covid-19 pandemic on nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers in the UK. The study uses a cross-sectional design to collect data from a convenience sample of nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers over five time points: May – July 2020, November 2020 – February 2021, May – July 2021, November 2021-February 2022 and May-July 2022. Data is collected using a self-report online survey consisting of demographic questions, measures of wellbeing, work-related quality of life, coping and several open-ended qualitative questions. Survey data will be supplemented with data gathered through focus group discussions with frontline workers, their managers/regulators and HR representatives.

Outputs / Expected Outputs

Phase 1 findings were published in October 2020, Phase 2 findings in March 2021 and Phase 3 findings were published in September 2021. Phase 4 findings are expected in March 2022 and Phase 5 findings expected in September 2022.

Report on phase 1: Health and social care workers’ quality of working life and coping while working during the COVID-19 pandemic 7th May – 3rd July 2020: findings from a UK Survey

Journal article:

McFadden, P.; Ross, J.; Moriarty, J.; Mallett, J.; Schroder, H.; Ravalier, J.; Manthorpe, J.; Currie, D.; Harron, J.; Gillen, P. The Role of Coping in the Wellbeing and Work-Related Quality of Life of UK Health and Social Care Workers during COVID-19. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 815. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020815

Report on Phase 2: Health and social care workers’ quality of working life and coping while working during the COVID19 pandemic: Findings from a UK Survey Phase 2: 17th November 2020 – 1st February 2021

Report on Phase 3: Health and social care workers’ quality of working life and coping while working during the COVID19 pandemic: Findings from a UK Survey Phase 3: 10th May 2021 – 5th July 2021

Project website