Abstract
Objective
to understand the repercussions of the pandemic of COVID-19 in the daily lives of family members of health professionals working in emergency units.
Methods
this is a qualitative descriptive-exploratory study conducted with 18 family members of health professionals working in two emergency units located in the South of Brazil. Data was collected from September to November 2020, through audio-recorded telephone interviews, later transcribed in full. The analysis was conducted in the light of the comprehensive sociology.
Results
the negative repercussions of the pandemic in the daily life of family members were marked by the fear of professional performance in the front line and the possibility of the family member getting infected, thus taking the virus to the other members of the family. However, paradoxically, there were positive repercussions, such as the union of the family members and greater closeness to religiosity/spirituality.
Final considerations and implications for the practice
the development of communication strategies to offer emotional support, promote encouragement, recognition of the family system's strengths and, if necessary, education to diminish the negative consequences, such as stigma and disagreements arising from this experience, is identified as relevant.
Keywords:
Pandemics; Coronavirus Infections; Family; Health Care Personnel; Emergencies
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Source: Prepared by the authors.