An Analysis of the Perspectives of Healthcare Workers and those in Training During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico

Abstract

Abstract Background To address the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems have used all their resources at hand, even their health workers in training. Knowing the insights of those who worked during the pandemic is paramount to generating adequate educative, political, and administrative strategies for future health emergencies. Methods This study consisted of a cross-sectional online survey, produced by the Mexican General Directorate of Quality and Health Education (Dirección General de Calidad y Educación), and had a convenience sample of 6,020 health workers in the healthcare delivery area. Results Both positive and negative feelings and opinions were expressed by the health workers. Many opinions were commonly shared, such as the need for a greater level of personal protective equipment (PPE). Furthermore, among the feelings expressed, distrust, fear, sadness, anticipation, anger, disgust, joy, and surprise stood out as exceptionally common. Conclusions Overall, the health workers in Mexico gave a negative evaluation of the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Distrust due to the absence of timely information from the education and health institutions, as well as concern about the lack of personal protective equipment, were the main concerns reported. We, therefore, must establish a credible and globally relevant continuity plan for the education of healthcare workers, and those in training who will likely face future health emergencies to prevent similar concerns from arising.