Qualitative perspectives of isolation experiences due to COVID-19 from a group of bioethicists in training performing interdisciplinary healthcare activities. Medellin, Colombia. September 2020.

Introduction: In Colombia, there is still little information on how health care personnel have lived and coped with isolation due to COVID-19.

Objectives: To explore the experiences related to the isolation of health professionals performing interdisciplinary care activities from March to September 2020, in Medellín, Colombia.

Methods: Qualitative, exploratory, with a group of bioethicists in training. Data collected through the focus group, after obtaining the consent and approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee. Open and axial coding was performed. Texts are presented in prose, information was triangulated, and results were validated with the participants.

Results: Work increased and staff decreased, with high staff turnover, redistribution and reassignment of loads and roles, facilitating physical and emotional overload. Study participants considered that teleworking facilitated their work, although more work was done. They lived in double isolation, had losses, and took work and family overloads. For fear of infecting and being infected, they separated from their loved ones, "this is an absolutely lonely disease, if people does not die from COVID, sadness and loneliness kills them." It affected "the recovery process, specifically, of psychiatric patients was prolonged, worsening their condition." They live in the present, and prioritize what is most important, because "being healthy and having those you love is the best wealth".

Conclusion: Isolation increased workload, with reassignment of roles, affecting health care. For fear of becoming infected and infecting, study participants lived a double isolation, with anguish and uncertainty, which is why now they prioritize the most important health and love.