Providing Trauma-Informed Care During a Pandemic: How Health Care Workers at Ryan White-Funded Clinics in the Southeastern United States Responded to COVID-19 and Its Effects on Their Well-Being

• Published in: Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care 2024-01, Vol.23, p.23259582241235779
• Main Authors: Kokubun, Caroline W., Anderson, Katherine M., Manders, Olivia C., Kalokhe, Ameeta S., Sales, Jessica M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Health Personnel - psychology; HIV Infections - epidemiology; Humans; Mental health services; Pandemics; Public health; Qualitative research; Social isolation; Southeastern United States - epidemiology; Trauma; Well being
• ISSN: 2325-9582; 2325-9574; 2325-9582
• DOI: 10.1177/23259582241235779

As HIV/AIDS health care workers (HCWs) deliver services during COVID-19 under difficult conditions, practicing trauma-informed care (TIC) may mitigate negative effects on mental health and well-being. This secondary qualitative analysis of a larger mixed methods study sought to understand the pandemic's impact on HCWs at Ryan White-funded clinics (RWCs) across the southeastern US and assess changes in prioritization of TIC. RWC administrators, providers, and staff were asked about impacts on clinic operations/culture, HCW well-being, institutional support for well-being, and prioritization of TIC. HCWs described strenuous work environments and decreased well-being (eg, increased stress, burnout, fear, and social isolation) due to COVID-19. RWCs initiated novel responses to disruptions of clinic operations and culture to encourage continuity in care and promote HCW well-being. Despite increased awareness of the need for TIC, prioritization remained variable. Implementing and institutionalizing trauma-informed practices could strengthen continuity in care and safeguard HCW well-being during public health emergencies. Plain Language Summary Study about the impact of COVID-19 on the well-being of Ryan White health care workers in the southeastern United States and the role of trauma-informed care This qualitative study aimed to understand COVID-19's impact on HIV/AIDS health care workers (HCWs) at Ryan White-funded clinics (RWCs) across the southeastern US and to assess changes in prioritization of trauma-informed care (TIC). COVID-19 created difficult working conditions for HCWs, and TIC is an evidence-based framework for delivering services that may reduce negative effects on their mental health and well-being. RWC administrators, providers, and staff were interviewed and asked about how clinic operations/culture, HCW well-being, institutional support for well-being, and prioritization of TIC have changed. HCWs described more challenging work environments and poorer well-being (eg, more stress, burnout, fear, and social isolation) due to COVID-19. However, prioritization of TIC varied despite increased awareness of the need for it. This study identified new and innovative ways that RWCs adapted in response to pandemic conditions. Implementing and institutionalizing trauma-informed practices could strengthen continuity in care and protect HCW well-being during future public health emergencies.