Effectiveness Evaluation of a Mental Health Intervention Aimed at Healthcare Networks Personnel during Covid-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Analysis from Gender Perspective
Resumen
Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate effectiveness of psychological intervention performed with the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for health personnel from first-level care networks in Berazategui, part of the metropolitan area in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methods: Qualitative exploratory research and evaluative design. The selection of subjects included health personnel who received the intervention and agreed to participate. Satisfaction surveys were implemented, and records of the intervening team and work meetings were analysed. Gender was considered in the examination of the obtained information. Results: The initial form of presentation of suffering was structured around the axis of care -anguish/stress/complaint/ anger for not feeling cared by authorities, or not be able to give an appropriate care to people. The place in their lives of vocational choices regarding caring for others was important to understand this variety of suffering. Improvements were detected in communication and interaction, self-care and a change to a proactive and creative attitude towards work, reduction of anguish and stress. More willingness to psychological care was found in female non-medical personnel, in whom overload was related to the joint demands of work and home labours. As a protective factor of mental health, presence of solid socio-affective network was key. The use of ICTs resulted advantageous. Conclusions: The criterion of adequacy/plausibility of results regarding the device was reached. The effectiveness of the intervention was characterized by promoting a repositioning of health personnel with respect to the context, the task and the bonds at work. In women, a greater willingness to speak and a feeling of work overload was noticeable. The use of ICTs improved access to mental health care in a pandemic context and generated the feeling of continuous caring, which reinforced the protective factor of the socioaffective network.