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Management Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: The Experiences of Health Managers from Iran, Ardabil Province

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 March 2022

Mahmood Shamshiri ,
Mehdi Ajri-Khameslou ,
Rajab Dashti-Kalantar Open the ORCID record for Rajab Dashti-Kalantar [Opens in a new window]  and
Behnam Molaei
Mahmood Shamshiri
Affiliation:
Department of Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Mehdi Ajri-Khameslou
Affiliation:
Department of Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Rajab Dashti-Kalantar*
Affiliation:
Department of Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Behnam Molaei
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
*
Corresponding author: Rajab Dashti-Kalantar dashtikalantar.r@gmail.com.
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Abstract

Objective:

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is the most threatening public health challenge in the 21th century, and more than 200 countries are affected. Considering that Iran was one of the first countries influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to explain the crisis management strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ardabil province.

Methods:

This study used a qualitative method using content analysis in which 12 health-care managers or decision-makers involved in the management of the COVID-19 crisis were recruited through purposeful sampling. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, which continued until data saturation.

Results:

Data analysis led to nine categories, including prior preparation for the COVID-19 crisis; challenges and management of workforce shortages; benefiting from the participation of volunteer staff; challenges and strategies for physical space, supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE); designation of referral centers for COVID-19; protocolized patient transport; benefiting from donations and charity support; management of information about COVID-19; and learning from the prior stages of crisis.

Conclusion:

This study revealed that, in critical situations, managers use multiple and, to some extent, unique strategies for decision-making and crisis control. Therefore, the health system can use the findings of the current study for proper response to similar crises and training of future managers.

Keywords

crisis managementmanagement strategiesSARS-CoV-2COVID-19
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 17 , 2023 , e140
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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