ABSTRACT
Medical social workers in Iran during the COVID-19 outbreak have faced one of the most challenging times to cover essential services in the condition of an uncertain scenario. This study analyses the perception of medical social workers about new situations and challenges caused by the pandemic and the new roles and activities that have been imposed on them or should be reimagined to replace the previous ones. The sample for this qualitative study includes 16 semi-structured interviews with medical social workers from different cities. The six main themes extracted from the data were individual experience and perception, professional-related perception, health system-related challenges, ethical challenges, work-related challenges, previously existing roles accentuated by COVID-19, and newly imposed roles by COVID-19. Medical social workers experienced various individual and work-related challenges during the pandemic that should be visible to hospital administrators and policymakers alike. It is also essential to assess how these challenges in similar crises can be recognised and the necessary interventions arranged as quickly as possible.
