Lived Experiences of Frontline Staff and Managers During the COVID-۱۹ Outbreak in Long-Term Care Facilities

Long-term care facilities across Iran have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. This study aims to describe the experiences of frontline staff and managers involved in managing the COVID-۱۹ outbreak in these facilities, identify best practices, and provide recommendations for improvement. Method: This qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with key informants. Key informants were defined as individuals with direct experience in managing the COVID-۱۹ outbreak in long-term care facilities. Thematic content analysis of the interview transcripts was performed to identify key components influencing outbreak management. Results: A total of ۲۳ interviews were conducted with key informants from the following groups: public health specialists, senior managers of health authorities responsible for long-term care, infection prevention and control specialists, managers of long-term care facilities, and frontline staff. The thematic analysis identified eight key factors as critical elements in outbreak management: ۱. Early identification of cases ۲. Implementation of a set of public health interventions ۳. External support and assistance ۴. Training and empowerment of staff ۵. Use and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) ۶. Organizational culture, leadership, and management ۷. Coordination and communication ۸. Human resource management Conclusion: The best practices and areas requiring improvement identified in this study can serve as a foundation for developing policies and practical measures aimed at mitigating the impact of COVID-۱۹ in these facilities.

کلیدواژه ها:

frontline staff ، qualitative study ، COVID-۱۹ ، long-term care facilities