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Table 1 Interview guide used for semi-structured interviews

From: What do healthcare workers need? A qualitative study on support strategies to protect mental health of healthcare workers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Preliminary information

• Greeting and Introduction

• Depiction of the interview topic

• General information about course and duration of interview

• Information about release and use of data

Opening question

• “We have been living with the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year now. For you personally, when was the worst time?”

Topic Sect. 1: Changes since the beginning of the pandemic

• “Has your professional everyday life changed since the beginning of the pandemic?”

 ◦ “What causes particular burdens and stress for you?”

• “Have your private relationships changed since the beginning of the pandemic?”

 ◦ “[…] concerning family, partner, friends”

 ◦ “[…] concerning child care”

• “Do these changes affect your personal well-being” If yes, how?”

 ◦ e.g. stress, sleeping problems, anxiety, helplessness

Topic Sect. 2: Coping strategies and protective factors

• “What helps you master your everyday work life and deal with negative events?”

 ◦ “How do you deal with stress? Which strategies are helpful?”

 ◦ “What provides a balance to work for you? Are there any resources in particular that give you strength?”

 ◦ “What do you do for relaxation?”

 ◦ “What’s your colleagues’ and superiors’ roles in dealing with the present challenges?”

 ◦ “Have you adopted any bad habits that help you relax?”

Topic Sect. 3: Interventions and potential barriers

• “What’s your opinion on the existing offers and support services that have been developed to help you cope with the current challenges? What are your experiences?”

 ◦ “Do you know which support services currently exist?”

 ◦ “Have you accessed any of these offers? What are your experiences?”

 ◦ “What could be the reasons for not participating in these support services?”

 ◦ “What offers and support services do you need or wish for that support you in your everyday work life?”

 ◦ “How could the working conditions in general be improved?”

Closing question

“Compared to the first wave of the pandemic: Have the working conditions and support services changed in any way?”

Summary

• Summary of the key statements by the interviewer