Healthcare Social Workers’ Experiences of Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Organizational and Relational Levels of Care

Abstract

Healthcare social workers have been on the front lines of the response to COVID-19 since its early days. With an upsurge of social isolation, unemployment, and grief and loss, social workers are being met with new challenges and are required to adapt to new and heightened demands of their roles – while also navigating their own fears and anxieties during the pandemic. While social workers attempt to manage increasing caseloads of complex patient needs, they must navigate the constrained context of their workplace and the changes in patient care. This study used qualitative methods to capture the lived experiences of healthcare social workers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, I used qualitative interviewing to explore the reflections of nine hospital social workers in Hamilton, Ontario regarding their experiences of wellness and wellbeing throughout the pandemic. My research identified three key themes: 1) lack of professional agency and power 2) moral injury, and 3) respect and care – organizational and among colleagues. In the discussion section I reflect on the implications of these findings for the practice of social work during and beyond pandemic times.