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11746
Nizzer, Sonia; Ruco, Arlinda; Moreira, Nicole A; Holness, D Linn; Nichol, Kathryn A; King, Emily C; McKay, Sandra M
2023
"You Have to Be Careful About Every Detail" How the COVID-19 Pandemic Shaped the Experiences of Canadian Personal Support Workers Working in Home Care.
Objectives
Personal support workers (PSWs) are an essential but vulnerable workforce supporting the home care sector in Canada. Given the impact COVID-19 has had on healthcare workers globally, understanding how PSWs have been impacted is vital.

Methods
We conducted a qualitative descriptive study to understand the working experiences of PSWs over the COVID-19 pandemic. Nineteen semistructured interviews were conducted, and analysis was guided by the collaborative DEPICT framework.

Results
Personal support workers are motivated by an intrinsic duty to work and their longstanding client relationships despite feeling vulnerable to transmission and infection. They experienced co-occurring occupational stressors and worsening work conditions, which impacted their overall well-being.

Conclusions
Pandemic conditions have contributed to increased occupational stress among PSWs. Employers must implement proactive strategies that promote and protect the well-being of their workforce while advocating for sector improvements.

Keywords: COVID-19, personal support workers, home care, occupational stress, work conditions
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
65
e604-e609
https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000002911
COVID, Worklife-Stress/Burnout, Workplace/Worklife Issues-General
Personal Support Workers/Health Care Aides
Home Care, Public Health
Interview/Focus Group, Qualitative Methods
Arlinda Ruco
Canada
Canada
Journal Article
Published Literature
English
Healthy Work Environments & Retention