# Experiences of Ghanaian frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare leadership recommendations

## TL;DR

This study explores the challenges faced by Ghanaian healthcare workers during the pandemic and offers leadership recommendations to better support them.

## Contribution

The paper provides novel insights and actionable recommendations for healthcare leadership in low-resource settings during health crises.

## Key findings

- Healthcare workers faced challenges like limited PPE and increased patient loads.
- Support from employers and government was limited despite the workers' needs.
- Participants suggested improvements in leadership and healthcare systems to better support frontline workers.

## Abstract

Understanding the experiences of frontline healthcare workers across different national and resource contexts is important for learning how to best support these providers to optimize their services during extended health emergencies. Using qualitative methods, we conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with frontline nurses and community healthcare workers to understand their working conditions, challenges, and supports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ghana was selected as a leader in healthcare reform among African nations. Thematic analysis revealed the following themes: challenges and stressors, government support, overcoming challenges, and recommendations for leadership in healthcare organizations. Overall, healthcare workers experienced a plethora of challenges both at work and in their personal lives, including decreased access to food and medical care. They also contended with limited personal protective equipment and higher patient volumes. Despite these challenges, support from employers and the government remained limited. Participants provided several recommendations for healthcare systems and leadership to better support their workforce.