SHBC1425
W.F.YIP1, L.GE1, P.P.CHIEH1, E.S.S.CHUA1, R.M.H.HO2, E.Y.CHUA3, S.THAM4, I.Y.O.LEONG5, A.H.Y.HO2, W.S.TAN1
National Healthcare Group Corporate Office1, Nanyang Technological University2, Yishun Community Hospital3, Woodlands Health4, Tan Tock Seng Hospital5
Resilience is a dynamic process of positive adaptation to adversity. There is limited understanding on the role healthcare (HCP) and social care professionals (SCP) play in influencing an individual’s resilience when dealing with a health adversity. We seek to examine the perceptions of health resilience, and how HCP and SCP view their role as part of this process.
Professionals, whose work addresses an individual’s wellbeing, were invited. Four focus group discussions (19 HCP and SCP) were included in this preliminary analysis. The interview guide covered three topics: 1) how their patients/clients dealt with health-related adversities; 2) factors associated with an individual’s capability to deal with health adversity; and 3) role of health and social care sector. Transcripts were analysed thematically using an inductive-deductive approach.
Emerged themes included 1) intrapersonal factors, 2) interpersonal factors, 3) health, social and financial systems. Findings suggested that these themes were interconnected. Unique to our multicultural community is our finding that language could be barrier to effective help-seeking from HCPs and SCPs. SCPs perceived themselves to be conduits, connecting individuals to healthcare or social services; and supporting the formation of connections between individual clients. HCPs played the role of motivators, offering emotional support, influencing the perception of hope and acting as a bridge between family members.
Findings highlighted that resilience as perceived from the perspective of HCPs and SCPs is multi-dimensional, and these professionals themselves performed a complex role supporting individuals during times of adversities.
