The Lived Experiences of Work Related Violence Against Public Health Professionals During COVID-19 Pandemic

Work-related violence (WRV) against public health professionals is increasingly prevalent worldwide but received much greater attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study addressed a gap in the literature by exploring public health professionals' experiences with WRV threats, what factors contributed to their vulnerability, and the severity of these threats during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023. Rogers' (1975) Protection Motivation Theory was the conceptual framework for phenomenological study. Twelve public health professionals, both male and female, including epidemiologists, nurses, physicians, researchers/scientists, and community health workers, who actively worked during the COVID-19 pandemic and were residents of New York State were interviewed via videoconferencing or telephone. The results of the interpretative phenomenological analysis indicated that the increasing frequency and severity of WRV during the pandemic led to isolation and stress for public health institutions and employees, which had a significant impact on public health workers' mental and physical health, negatively affecting their professional and domestic lives, including their willingness to continue working in public health. The decision to stay or leave the public health profession was influenced by several factors, including perceived severity, vulnerability, and the ability to avoid/defend oneself. Financial circumstances and personal factors, such as family history and commitment to the profession, also were factors. The study may foster positive social change by informing the development of public health initiatives that increase awareness and shift perceptions regarding violence against public health professionals in the United States.