Experiences Shared by the (Future) Public Health Workforce during the COVD-19 Pandemic in Germany: Results of a Survey on Workload, Work Content, and Related Challenges among Students and Young Professionals

Florian Fischer (), Julia Wicherski, Myriam Tobollik and Timothy McCall
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Florian Fischer: Institute of Public Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Julia Wicherski: Division 5 Research, Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, 53175 Bonn, Germany
Myriam Tobollik: Section II 1.5 Environmental Medicine and Health Effects Assessment, German Environment Agency, 14193 Berlin, Germany
Timothy McCall: Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-16

Abstract: Although previous studies have focused on the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on various professional groups (particularly in the health and nursing care sector), this study aims to close a research gap by assessing perspectives of students and young professionals in epidemiology and public health in Germany in terms of shifts in workload, work content, and related challenges caused by the pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional survey between mid-February and mid-March 2022. Quantitative data were analyzed via standardized mean differences. Qualitative data based on answers to open-ended questions were analyzed via a qualitative content analysis. Overall, 172 individuals participated in this survey. Results indicate that students felt burdened the most by lack of exchange with other students and lecturers. Study participants employed in public health experienced changes in their employment because they had changes in their work content- and administration, which was accompanied by a high burden due to the workload. Multiple demands that can have an impact on both acquired skills and mental health during the professional qualification phase were mentioned by the participants. Therefore, more in-depth analyses are needed to investigate the impact the pandemic will have on the (future) public health workforce in the long run.

Keywords: public health; epidemiology; SARS-CoV-2; employment; education; training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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