ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 13 > Iss. 1 (2025)
Credentials Display
Alison de la Montaigne EdD, OTR/L; Catana Brown PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Sarah Anderson OTD, OTR/L; Tamara Turner EdD, OTR/L
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method: A qualitative phenomenological design using photovoice methodology for collecting data was used (Wang & Burris, 1997). The study participants included twelve therapists. Using photovoice methodology, the participants used a picture to represent their experience and wrote an accompanying narrative to address the question, “How has COVID-19 impacted your life?” Thematic analysis was used to code and develop themes for the participant photovoices and the virtual focus group transcripts (Braun & Clark, 2006). Zoom was used as the virtual platform for the virtual focus groups and member checking was used to verify themes.
Results: Four themes were identified: (a) work and life were characterized by disruption and change, (b) adaptations were necessary to manage this new reality, (c) hope and optimism were juxtaposed with continued uncertainty and fear, and (d) with the change came new opportunities, growth, renewed strength, and resilience.
Conclusion: The difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic were more apparent in the focus groups than in the initial photovoice project. The participants reported they felt the COVID-19 pandemic was more traumatic than their photovoices demonstrated. It was the therapists working on the COVID-19 units who expressed experiencing substantial stress and trauma.
Recommended Citation
De la Montaigne, A., Brown, C., Anderson, S. A., & Turner, T. (2025). The Lived Experience of Therapists During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study Using Photovoice Methodology. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2238
Comments
The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.