How has COVID-19 affected your personal beliefs/values in your clinical practice? Include an example.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a significant impact on every aspect of human life, including healthcare systems worldwide. As healthcare professionals work tirelessly to respond to the pandemic’s evolving challenges, it has also affected their personal beliefs and values in clinical practice. In this essay, we will explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced healthcare professionals’ beliefs and values in clinical practice.
Firstly, the pandemic has brought the issue of healthcare equity to the forefront, challenging healthcare professionals’ belief in fairness and justice. The pandemic has disproportionately affected communities of color, low-income individuals, and marginalized groups, exposing existing healthcare disparities. This realization has led healthcare professionals to re-evaluate their beliefs on providing equitable care and consider the structural and systemic barriers that may contribute to these disparities.
Secondly, the pandemic has impacted healthcare professionals’ beliefs regarding their professional obligations and responsibilities. The pandemic has forced healthcare professionals to adapt to new challenges, including providing care in unfamiliar settings, working with limited resources, and taking on new roles. This has required healthcare professionals to expand their skillset and adapt to changes rapidly, leading to a re-evaluation of their professional obligations and responsibilities.
Thirdly, the pandemic has influenced healthcare professionals’ values concerning patient-centered care. The pandemic has restricted in-person communication and visits, leading to an increased reliance on technology to provide care. This has highlighted the importance of patient-centered care, where patients are actively involved in their care and decision-making, despite the physical barriers created by the pandemic.
Fourthly, the pandemic has led to a change in healthcare professionals’ beliefs and values regarding the importance of self-care. The pandemic has put healthcare professionals at a higher risk of exposure to the virus, leading to increased stress and anxiety. As a result, healthcare professionals have re-evaluated their beliefs on self-care, recognizing that taking care of themselves is essential to providing quality care to their patients.
Lastly, the pandemic has impacted healthcare professionals’ beliefs and values concerning the importance of collaboration and teamwork. The pandemic has required healthcare professionals to work together and share resources, leading to increased collaboration between healthcare professionals and healthcare systems. This has highlighted the importance of teamwork in healthcare, where healthcare professionals work collaboratively to provide quality care to patients.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare professionals’ beliefs and values in clinical practice. The pandemic has forced healthcare professionals to re-evaluate their beliefs on healthcare equity, professional obligations and responsibilities, patient-centered care, self-care, and teamwork. As healthcare professionals continue to respond to the pandemic’s evolving challenges, it is essential to acknowledge these changes in beliefs and values and adapt to the new realities of healthcare practice.
How COVID-19 has affected personal beliefs/values in clinical practice