You are encouraged to attend the defence. The details of the defence and how to attend are included below:  

Date:  August 14, 2024 @ 10:30 AM (PT)
Time: 10:30 AM (PT) 

Defence Mode: Remote 
Virtual Attendance: Zoom 

LINK TO JOIN:  
Please contact the Office of Graduate Administration for information regarding remote/online attendance.

To ensure the defence proceeds with no interruptions, please mute your audio and video on entry and do not inadvertently share your screen. The meeting will be locked to entry 5 minutes after it begins: ensure you are on time.  

Thesis entitled: CARE AIDES’ JOB SATISFACTION AFFECTED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN LONG-TERM CARE SETTINGS IN NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted healthcare settings, particularly long-term care facilities (LTCFs) that serve vulnerable older adults. Measures implemented to enhance LTCF resident’s safety also had profound effects on staff, especially care aides who provide direct care, yet little is known about their specific experiences during the pandemic. This study aims to shed light on the experiences of care aides working in LTCFs in northern British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on their job satisfaction. 

A systematic review using Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) scoping study framework examined four databases: PubMed MEDLINE, CINAHL, Social Work Abstracts, and APA PsycINFO. Secondary qualitative data from eight care aides, collected through one-hour semi-structured interviews, was analyzed using Braun and Clarke's (2006) thematic analysis method. The findings reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic increased workloads and stress levels among care aides, negatively impacting their job satisfaction due to inadequate support systems, disrupted communication, and new safety policies. 

The study underscores the need for increased staffing, better psychological and financial support, and enhanced communication channels, recommending crisis management training and ongoing education. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on care aides' job satisfaction and mental health, particularly in rural areas.