Ancillary hospital workers experience during COVID-19: systematic review and narrative synthesis.
COVID-19
Journal
BMJ supportive & palliative care
ISSN: 2045-4368
Titre abrégé: BMJ Support Palliat Care
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101565123
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
30 Jul 2024
30 Jul 2024
Historique:
received:
28
02
2024
accepted:
12
07
2024
medline:
1
8
2024
pubmed:
1
8
2024
entrez:
31
7
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
COVID-19 overwhelmed healthcare systems worldwide. Its impact on clinical staff is well documented, but little is known about the effects on ancillary staff (cleaners, porters and caterers). To identify the evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on ancillary staff at National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in England. Systematic review and narrative synthesis. Databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL Ultimate, APA PsycINFO, APA PsycArticles and Academic Search Ultimate). Reference lists were searched. Four independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts against inclusion criteria. Data were extracted from included papers and studies were critically assessed using relevant critical appraisal tools. 8/178 studies were included, of which 5 quantitative, 2 qualitative and 1 mixed methods. Ancillary staff had higher rates of past and present COVID-19 infection. Participants felt that the work of ancillary staff had been insufficiently recognised by managers and that they had little voice within the NHS. They also experienced inequity regarding available support and safe working practices due to largely digital modes of communication which they rarely, if ever, used. In an evaluation of a personal protective equipment support 'helper' programme, ancillary workers were more positive about it than nurses, allied health practitioners, and doctors. Few studies included ancillary staff. As reported, ancillary staff at NHS hospitals had a higher prevalence of COVID-19 infection but felt marginalised and poorly supported. They valued training when offered. Additional research is needed to understand better the impact of COVID-19 on ancillary key workers, and how best to support them in future similar circumstances.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 overwhelmed healthcare systems worldwide. Its impact on clinical staff is well documented, but little is known about the effects on ancillary staff (cleaners, porters and caterers).
AIM
OBJECTIVE
To identify the evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on ancillary staff at National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in England.
DESIGN
METHODS
Systematic review and narrative synthesis.
DATA SOURCES
METHODS
Databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL Ultimate, APA PsycINFO, APA PsycArticles and Academic Search Ultimate). Reference lists were searched. Four independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts against inclusion criteria. Data were extracted from included papers and studies were critically assessed using relevant critical appraisal tools.
RESULTS
RESULTS
8/178 studies were included, of which 5 quantitative, 2 qualitative and 1 mixed methods. Ancillary staff had higher rates of past and present COVID-19 infection. Participants felt that the work of ancillary staff had been insufficiently recognised by managers and that they had little voice within the NHS. They also experienced inequity regarding available support and safe working practices due to largely digital modes of communication which they rarely, if ever, used. In an evaluation of a personal protective equipment support 'helper' programme, ancillary workers were more positive about it than nurses, allied health practitioners, and doctors.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Few studies included ancillary staff. As reported, ancillary staff at NHS hospitals had a higher prevalence of COVID-19 infection but felt marginalised and poorly supported. They valued training when offered. Additional research is needed to understand better the impact of COVID-19 on ancillary key workers, and how best to support them in future similar circumstances.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39084691
pii: spcare-2024-004855
doi: 10.1136/spcare-2024-004855
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Competing interests: None declared.