Lessons Learned From the Public Health Workforce's Experiences With the COVID-19 Response
Date
2022-10-17
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health Security
Abstract
Limited research is available on the COVID-19 response experiences of local, state, and federal public health workers in the United States. Although the response to COVID-19 is still presenting challenges to the public health workforce, public health systems must also begin to consider lessons learned that can be applied to future disasters. During July and August 2021, a random sample of participants from a cross-sectional study of the public health workforce was invited to participate in interviews to obtain information on the current state of public health operations, the ongoing response to the COVID-19 crisis, and takeaways for improving future preparedness and response planning. Interviews were transcribed and inductively coded to identify themes. Twenty-four initial interview invitations were sent, and random substitutions were made until thematic saturation was reached when 17 interviews were completed. Four thematic categories were identified, including challenges related to (1) ongoing lack of political support or policy guidance; (2) fluctuations in, and uncertainty about, future funding and associated requirements; (3) job expectations, including remote work and data-sharing capabilities; and (4) the mental health toll of sustained response and related burnout. As the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues in its third year, it is crucial to identify lessons learned that can inform future investment in order to sustain a public health workforce and a public health preparedness and response system that is resilient to future disasters.
Description
This is the accepted version of the following article: Sarah E. Scales, Elizabeth Patrick, Kahler W. Stone, Kristina W. Kintziger, Meredith A. Jagger, and Jennifer A. Horney. Lessons Learned From the Public Health Workforce's Experiences With the COVID-19 Response. Health Security. Oct 2022.387-393. http://doi.org/10.1089/hs.2022.0091, which has now been formally published in final form at Health Security at http://doi.org/10.1089/hs.2022.0091. This original submission version of the article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers’ self-archiving terms and conditions.
Keywords
COVID-19, public health preparedness/response, psychological impacts, epidemic management/response, resilience
Citation
Sarah E. Scales, Elizabeth Patrick, Kahler W. Stone, Kristina W. Kintziger, Meredith A. Jagger, and Jennifer A. Horney. Lessons Learned From the Public Health Workforce's Experiences With the COVID-19 Response. Health Security. Oct 2022.387-393. http://doi.org/10.1089/hs.2022.0091