Abstract

The healthcare sector is considered one of the sectors most vulnerable to crises, particularly health-related crises, especially with regard to the performance of healthcare providers, their integration, and the delivery of services to citizens. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of challenges resulting from consecutive crises on the performance of healthcare providers at Al-Shifa Medical Complex in the Gaza Strip, under exceptional circumstances including the 2018 Great March of Return, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2023 Gaza War. The study employed a cross-sectional design, given its suitability for the research nature. The study sample included 135 healthcare providers at Al-Shifa Medical Complex, comprising 45 physicians, 9 pharmacists, 61 nurses, and 20 Paramedical. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire prepared by the researcher, which covered areas related to shortages of medical resources, occupational stress, professional burnout, department overcrowding, and the impact of these challenges on the quality of healthcare performance. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods via the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed a significant negative effect of crisis-induced challenges on the performance of healthcare providers. Severe shortages of medical supplies and medications, coupled with a large influx of patients, led to increased levels of occupational burnout and a reduced capacity to deliver optimal healthcare services. The findings also indicated that cumulative crises contributed to a decline in job satisfaction and an increase in psychological stress among healthcare providers. The study concluded that it is essential to enhance the preparedness of the healthcare system to respond to crises by supporting human resources, providing adequate medical supplies, developing effective emergency plans, and offering psychosocial support programs for healthcare workers, thereby improving their performance and ensuring the continuity of healthcare services during times of crisis.

Keywords

Crises; Healthcare Challenges; Performance of Healthcare Providers; Al-Shifa Medical Complex; Gaza Strip.