“The Yo-Yo Effect”: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Social Workers’ Experiences with Job Flexibility during the Pandemic

Author:

Kranke Derrick1,Gioia Debbie2,Alenkin Nikola3,Mudoh Yvonne4,Solorzano Emily5,Dobalian Aram6

Affiliation:

1. Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Derrick Kranke, PhD, is health science specialist, , 16111 Plummer Street, MS-152, North Hills, CA 91343, USA

2. School of Social Work, University of Maryland Debbie Gioia, PhD, is associate professor, , Baltimore, MD, USA

3. VA Nikola Alenkin, PhD, is a supervisory social worker, , Los Angeles, CA, USA

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Yvonne Mudoh, MPH, is project manager, , Atlanta, GA, USA

5. VEMEC Emily Solorzano, MA, is project manager, , VA, North Hills, CA, USA

6. VEMEC Aram Dobalian, PhD, is director, , VA, North Hills, CA, USA, and professor and division chair, Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

Abstract

Abstract Social work turnover from the emotional overload of providing care during the pandemic has created staff shortages and exposed many gaps in service delivery. Those social workers who sustained employment during this pandemic are asked to take on flexible/additional roles to fill in those gaps in services to their most vulnerable clients. This qualitative study (N = 12) of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) inpatient social workers at two sites across the country assesses their experiences of taking on additional roles at their respective VA facility. Three research questions were addressed to the participants: (1) Describe your roles and responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic? (2) How did those responsibilities change/evolve over time? and (3) Did you receive training for your new roles or tasks? Thematic analysis revealed six themes that would facilitate effectiveness and continuity of care: (1) recognizing insufficient training to handle a pandemic, (2) meeting the demand for care, (3) responding to unexpected aspects of flexibility, (4) adjusting to new roles over time, (5) adaptation and support, and (6) additional resources to simplify efforts. With COVID rates stabilizing across much of the United States, now is the time to implement trainings and education about job flexibility in the future instance of a pandemic.

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Sociology and Political Science

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