Qualitative Study of Experiences of Cooperation Among Healthcare Workers Participating in COVID-19 Aid Mission in China and Its Implications for Offsite Pandemic Response Planning

Background: Most recent studies on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have focused on its epidemiology and on frontline healthcare workers’ (HCWs’) physio-psychological experiences, with few studies examining their experiences of cooperation. To assist future offsite planning for pandemics, we documented lived experiences of cooperation among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: We conducted an empirical phenomenological investigation among 25 HCWs (17 nurses and eight physicians), selected through convenient and purposive sampling, who participated in a medical aid mission in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected via semi-structured online video interviews, and the interview transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method.Findings: (1) The government-organized multi-level and multi-departmental management structure ensured appropriate arrangements of human and material resources. (2) High morale among voluntarily recruited HCWs and a supportive context entailing mutual learning encouraged cooperation among team members. (3) A continuous, streamlined workflow and communication was crucial. Adequate communication enabled HCWs, confronting shock and unfamiliar situations, to adjust quickly by drawing on their rich prior professional experience. (4) Nurse managers, who were the core internal and external team coordinators, juggling multiple roles and tasks, experienced severe stress. (5) A comprehensive person-centered care model and cooperation within multidisciplinary teams of HCWs were needed to balance infection management and patient-centered care.Interpretations: Planning for a pandemic aid mission is challenging, given the unpredictable nature of the circumstances and the political context within a specific region. We offer the following recommendations for future pandemic planning.Funding Statement: No external funding.Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the researchers’ institute (IRB number: 202025).