Exploring the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) family members living with BAME health care workers in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Background- As COVID-19 has spread globally, evidence suggests that the disease disproportionately affects people from the BAME population, with the risk of death among people diagnosed with COVID-19 being higher in those living in more deprived areas and higher in those in BAME groups than in White ethnic groups. The disproportionate deaths in BAME groups may also be attributable to risk factors including unemployment and working in lower-skilled jobs, older age, hypertension, and diabetes. Furthermore, people from BAME populations are more likely to be employed in frontline jobs leading to increased exposure to the risks of contracting COVID-19. There is evidence that healthcare staff experiences stress and anxiety during the pandemic, and specifically, this is about their own risk or risk to their families. It is crucial to explore the experiences of BAME family members living with BAME health care workers because they are a vulnerable group, and their experiences are unknown. Aim: To explore the experiences of BAME family members living with BAME healthcare workers in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse their data, eliciting the meanings this group of people give to their experiences of living with BAME health care workers during the pandemic. Six participants were recruited using a snowball technique, and one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted. Findings and unique contribution to knowledge: This study contributes valuable knowledge around the experiences of family members of BAME living with BAME HCWs in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cross-case comparison of idiographic accounts of participants in this study revealed that external influences, including living with HCWs, had an emotional and mental impact on this group. Participants said they felt vulnerable, hopeless, and helpless due to being from a BAME background, subsequently seeking coping strategies/reassurance. Conclusion: This study explored the experiences of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic family members living with BAME healthcare workers in the UK during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The findings illuminate the participants' experiences in the UK during COVID-19 Pandemic, providing an original contribution to knowledge and insight into the nature of support and services needed by this group. Recommendation: Establishing fora in workplaces enabling BAME HCWs to share their views and concerns regarding their lack or inadequate protection from COVID-19 positive patients would be a way to overcome some worries. Health care workers from the BAME population’s concerns should be listened to through representatives. Providing opportunities by agencies for seminars and education for families of BAME HCWS to support their fears would be helpful.