Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40032374›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Anchored in the eye of the storm: a qualitative study of resilient performance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden in the context of the emergency department.

Ann-Sofie Källberg, Camilla Göras, Lena Berg, Petronella Bjurling-Sjöberg

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Ann-Sofie KällbergDalarna University School of Health and Welfare, Falun, Sweden akg@du.se.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0681-9768
Camilla GörasDepartment of Caring Sciences, Department of Occupational Health and Psychology, University of Gavle, Gavle, Sweden.
Lena BergDalarna University School of Health and Welfare, Falun, Sweden.
Petronella Bjurling-SjöbergCentre for Clinical Research Sörmland, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThis study aimed to explore how emergency department (ED) organisations and clinicians adapted to altered prerequisites during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the processes involved and the consequences. In addition, we examined how the ordinary state affected resilient performance during this period.

designThis qualitative study involved inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews and narratives.

settingThree hospital-based EDs, one county and two rural hospitals, located in two Swedish regions were studied.

participantsA total of 12 participants, 80% of whom were women, were recruited. The participants included two physicians, three registered nurses, three assistant nurses and four nursing managers working at the three EDs before and during the first pandemic wave.

resultsThe overarching theme 'anchored in the eye of the storm' emerged. This theme suggests that resilient performance during the pandemic was facilitated by ordinary adaptive capacity in the ED. A thematic map and seven main themes with a total of 25 subthemes explain the process. The ordinary state of conditions in the ED was challenged with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Altered prerequisites were perceived partly as a new reality in addition to business as usual. The adaptations included organise to regain control and developing new strategies to manage the situation, mainly by initiatives among clinicians. The consequences included perceived strain and frustration and partially impacted quality of care. However, an increased sense of cohesion among clinicians and enhanced knowledge were also noted.

conclusionDuring the pandemic, a partially new reality was experienced, although work also continued largely as business as usual based on experiences of crowding, established preparedness plans and ordinary adaptive capacity. Despite dealing with a previously unknown patient group, the experience of working with critically ill patients and establishing structured work processes proved advantageous and facilitated resilient performance.

Indexed as

COVID-19Emergency Service, HospitalFrontline WorkersResilience, PsychologicalAttitude of Health PersonnelHumansInterviews as TopicQualitative ResearchSwedenCOVID-19Emergency Service, HospitalSafety

Identifiers

PMID40032374
PMCPMC11877203

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.