Journal of Social Work Education and Practice, Volume 6; Issue 3, July 1, 2021

Combating Covid-19: A Phenomenological Study on the Experience of Frontline Social Workers in the Health Sector

 Athira V. H. 1, Emily Elsa John 2
1 Department of Social Work, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India 2 Social Initiatives, Mathrubhumi, Trivandrum, India

ABSTRACT: The Covid-19 pandemic has created an immense burden in society, and more than a pandemic, it became a social event that disrupts the social order as a whole. Professional social workers are engaged worldwide at all levels to save humanity from the public health crisis. The study aimed to gain qualitative insights into social workers' experience and perceptions regarding the COovid-19 response. The research explored the current roles and challenges of frontline social workers in the health sector using an empirical phenomenological approach. The research sample consisted of fifteen social workers working in Kerala, India's healthcare institutions. Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. The significant themes revealed during the data analysis and the respondents' perceptions are presented as the findings. The three main themes that emerged are multidisciplinary skills to tackle multidimensional pandemic impact, perceived challenges in the pandemic practice, and barriers and blemishes in service provision. The research highlights the suggestions for advancing the social work efforts and illuminate how contemporary social work can add value to healthcare in combating the pandemic.
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Keywords: social work, healthcare sector, Covid-19, pandemic response

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