The Biggest Challenges Resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic on Gender-Related Work from Home in Biomedical Fields—World-Wide Qualitative Survey Analysis

Eva Bezak, Kristin V. Carson-Chahhoud, Loredana G. Marcu, Magdalena Stoeva, Lenka Lhotska, Gilda A. Barabino, Fatimah Ibrahim, Eleni Kaldoudi, Sierin Lim, Ana Maria Marques da Silva, Peck Ha Tan, Virginia Tsapaki and Monique Frize
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Eva Bezak: Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
Kristin V. Carson-Chahhoud: Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
Loredana G. Marcu: Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
Magdalena Stoeva: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Medical University of Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Lenka Lhotska: Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, 160 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic
Gilda A. Barabino: Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA 02492, USA
Fatimah Ibrahim: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Eleni Kaldoudi: School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Alexandroupoli, Greece
Sierin Lim: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637457, Singapore
Ana Maria Marques da Silva: School of Technology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil
Peck Ha Tan: School of Engineering, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore 599489, Singapore
Virginia Tsapaki: Medical Physics Department, Konstantopoulio General Hospitals, Nea Ionia, 14233 Athens, Greece
Monique Frize: Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: (1) Background: This paper aims to present and discuss the most significant challenges encountered by STEM professionals associated with remote working during the COVID-19 lockdowns. (2) Methods: We performed a qualitative analysis of 921 responses from professionals from 76 countries to the open-ended question: “What has been most challenging during the lockdown for you, and/or your family?” (3) Findings: Participants reported challenges within the immediate family to include responsibilities for school, childcare, and children’s wellbeing; and the loss of social interactions with family and friends. Participants reported increased domestic duties, blurred lines between home and work, and long workdays. Finding adequate workspace was a problem, and adaptations were necessary, especially when adults shared the same setting for working and childcare. Connectivity issues and concentration difficulties emerged. While some participants reported employers’ expectations did not change, others revealed concerns about efficiency. Mental health issues were expressed as anxiety and depression symptoms, exhaustion and burnout, and no outlets for stress. Fear of becoming infected with COVID-19 and uncertainties about the future also emerged. Pressure points related to gender, relationship status, and ethnicities were also evaluated. Public policies differed substantially across countries, raising concerns about the adherence to unnecessary restrictions, and similarly, restrictions being not tight enough. Beyond challenges, some benefits emerged, such as increased productivity and less time spent getting ready for work and commuting. Confinement resulted in more quality time and stronger relationships with family. (4) Interpretation: Viewpoints on positive and negative aspects of remote working differed by gender. Females were more affected professionally, socially, and personally than males. Mental stress and the feeling of inadequate work efficiency in women were caused by employers’ expectations and lack of flexibility. Working from home turned out to be challenging, primarily due to a lack of preparedness, limited access to a dedicated home-office, and lack of previous experience in multi-layer/multi-scale environments.

Keywords: COVID-19 impact; working from home; gender; biomedical fields; qualitative international survey analysis (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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