THE COST OF SAVING LIVES: A GLIMPSE INTO THE PRESSURES AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET

Emergency room (ER) healthcare professionals confront significant physical, emotional, and organizational pressures, frequently resulting in compromised patient care and diminished well-being. However, localized insights into these challenges and the coping strategies employed, particularly within the Philippine context, remain insufficiently explored. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to investigate the specific pressures faced by ER nurses and physicians, as well as the coping strategies they utilize to manage these challenges. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 10 ER professionals from hospitals in La Trinidad, Benguet, selected via criterion and snowball sampling. The collected data were analyzed using Clarke and Braun’s Six-Step Thematic Analysis to identify recurring patterns and themes. The findings revealed consistent physical strains and movement-induced exhaustion, emotional challenges such as grief-induced stress, emotional overload, decisional stress, and emotional empathy. Additionally, organizational issues were identified, including workforce strain, organizational dysfunction, equipment shortages, and language barriers. Notably, while participants reported a range of individual coping strategies, such as self-care activities, there was a lack of evidence for organizational coping strategies implemented by hospital administration to support staff. In light of these challenges, participants largely relied on informal institutional measures, including improvised team debriefings, instead of structured mental health programs or organizational support systems. This study underscores the urgent need for healthcare institutions to implement systemic improvements, such as optimized staffing ratios and enhanced access to mental health resources. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of empowering ER professionals with effective personal coping mechanisms. These findings offer valuable insights for healthcare administrators aiming to enhance working conditions and resilience among ER professionals in culturally diverse and resource-constrained settings like the Philippines, particularly in La Trinidad, Benguet.