Healthcare workers' views on the response to COVID-19 in long-term care hospitals in Korea: a mixed-method study
IntroductionLong-term care hospitals (LTCHs) faced challenges beyond the scope of their previous practice in response to the pandemic. However, not much is known about LTCHs' responses and business continuity plans (BCPs) during the pandemic. We investigated attempts by LTCHs to maintain contin...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1518998/full |
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| author | Eun Kyoung Yun Eun Kyoung Yun In Seo La In Seo La Sunmi Kim Seongyu Han Hyungran Lee Hyungran Lee |
| author_facet | Eun Kyoung Yun Eun Kyoung Yun In Seo La In Seo La Sunmi Kim Seongyu Han Hyungran Lee Hyungran Lee |
| author_sort | Eun Kyoung Yun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionLong-term care hospitals (LTCHs) faced challenges beyond the scope of their previous practice in response to the pandemic. However, not much is known about LTCHs' responses and business continuity plans (BCPs) during the pandemic. We investigated attempts by LTCHs to maintain continuity of operation during COVID-19 in order to gain insight on how to support them in future crises.MethodsA mixed-method design was used, comprising a survey and individual interviews, to understand the responses and measures taken to address the pandemic.ResultsFor LTCHs, inpatient ward operations were identified as an essential function. Following the government's recommendation, most (85.7%) confirmed having BCPs, but over half felt that the operational effectiveness of BCPs was inadequate. Only 9.5% formed teams dedicated to infectious disease emergency preparedness and response before COVID-19. Qualitative analysis identified six main themes that explained the efforts of the LTCHs: workplace culture and leadership, communication, human resources, safety, continuity of essential services, and financial and supply management. The themes explained the reasons for operational effectiveness and provided examples and context on how staff responded in small and medium-sized LTCHs during the pandemic, considering elements in health service continuity planning.ConclusionManagement of significant changes forced by the pandemic necessitates preparing a response that considers key components beforehand, particularly for vulnerable healthcare facilities. To address unexpected crises, LTCHs should develop, implement, and practice well-thought-out plans to enhance organizational resiliency and ensure continued hospital functioning. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5cfdf8e2279c45799ba0db3a8d24e294 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-5cfdf8e2279c45799ba0db3a8d24e2942025-08-20T03:20:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-06-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15189981518998Healthcare workers' views on the response to COVID-19 in long-term care hospitals in Korea: a mixed-method studyEun Kyoung Yun0Eun Kyoung Yun1In Seo La2In Seo La3Sunmi Kim4Seongyu Han5Hyungran Lee6Hyungran Lee7College of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaEast-West Nursing Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaCollege of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaEast-West Nursing Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Nursing, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Nursing, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaEast-West Nursing Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Nursing, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaIntroductionLong-term care hospitals (LTCHs) faced challenges beyond the scope of their previous practice in response to the pandemic. However, not much is known about LTCHs' responses and business continuity plans (BCPs) during the pandemic. We investigated attempts by LTCHs to maintain continuity of operation during COVID-19 in order to gain insight on how to support them in future crises.MethodsA mixed-method design was used, comprising a survey and individual interviews, to understand the responses and measures taken to address the pandemic.ResultsFor LTCHs, inpatient ward operations were identified as an essential function. Following the government's recommendation, most (85.7%) confirmed having BCPs, but over half felt that the operational effectiveness of BCPs was inadequate. Only 9.5% formed teams dedicated to infectious disease emergency preparedness and response before COVID-19. Qualitative analysis identified six main themes that explained the efforts of the LTCHs: workplace culture and leadership, communication, human resources, safety, continuity of essential services, and financial and supply management. The themes explained the reasons for operational effectiveness and provided examples and context on how staff responded in small and medium-sized LTCHs during the pandemic, considering elements in health service continuity planning.ConclusionManagement of significant changes forced by the pandemic necessitates preparing a response that considers key components beforehand, particularly for vulnerable healthcare facilities. To address unexpected crises, LTCHs should develop, implement, and practice well-thought-out plans to enhance organizational resiliency and ensure continued hospital functioning.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1518998/fulllong-term careCOVID-19 responsemixed methodsbusiness continuity planninghealthcare workersinfection prevention and control |
| spellingShingle | Eun Kyoung Yun Eun Kyoung Yun In Seo La In Seo La Sunmi Kim Seongyu Han Hyungran Lee Hyungran Lee Healthcare workers' views on the response to COVID-19 in long-term care hospitals in Korea: a mixed-method study Frontiers in Public Health long-term care COVID-19 response mixed methods business continuity planning healthcare workers infection prevention and control |
| title | Healthcare workers' views on the response to COVID-19 in long-term care hospitals in Korea: a mixed-method study |
| title_full | Healthcare workers' views on the response to COVID-19 in long-term care hospitals in Korea: a mixed-method study |
| title_fullStr | Healthcare workers' views on the response to COVID-19 in long-term care hospitals in Korea: a mixed-method study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Healthcare workers' views on the response to COVID-19 in long-term care hospitals in Korea: a mixed-method study |
| title_short | Healthcare workers' views on the response to COVID-19 in long-term care hospitals in Korea: a mixed-method study |
| title_sort | healthcare workers views on the response to covid 19 in long term care hospitals in korea a mixed method study |
| topic | long-term care COVID-19 response mixed methods business continuity planning healthcare workers infection prevention and control |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1518998/full |
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