Research on the Mental Health of Health Workers in the West Bank

Tender Description

Terms of Reference

Research on the Mental Health of Health Workers in the West Bank

Scope of work

Duration: 2 months

The production of a scientific research paper with first hand data on the psychological effects of Israeli occupation forces and settler violence on Palestinian healthcare workers. This research study intends to explore the layered psychological toll on Palestinian healthcare workers across the West Bank. The research should provide trauma-informed in-depth interviews to select healthcare providers, exploring the key sources of distress, and the protective factors exhibited my providers. The research will use mixed methods in documenting the psychological toll and recommendations for supporting impacted Palestinian first responders and healthcare providers.

Overview

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is a British registered charity that has been reaching out to the Palestinian communities, striving to deliver health and medical care to those worst affected by conflict, occupation and displacement. MAP provides immediate medical aid to those in need at times of crisis, while also developing local capacity and skills to ensure the long-term development of the Palestinian healthcare system. Part of MAP’s work is to advocate for the protection of healthcare workers and ask for accountability and an end to the Israeli violations against the medical teams. Throughout MAPs partnership with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, MAP has been closely following the attacks against PRCS teams.

Please download the complete ToR for more details.

Requirements/Experience

The research should be designed and implemented by an experienced psychologist specialized in trauma.

A research coordinator, who has experience in quantitative and qualities data, is needed for data collection and documentation.

Problem statement

The psychological effects of Israeli occupation forces and settler violence on Palestinian healthcare workers’ is under-researched. This research study intends to explore the layered psychological toll on Palestinian healthcare workers across the West Bank.

Project rationale or justification

Israeli military personnel and/or settlers repeatedly target, harass, and block Palestinian health workers from completing their duties. The psychological toll of the violence health workers face across the West Bank is under-researched. As witnesses to the cumulative and everyday injustice of Israeli occupation in the West Bank, it is imperative to understand the psychological impacts carried by healthcare providers.

Project goals and objectives

Identify forms of psychological suffering sustained by first responders and healthcare providers across the West Bank governates of Tulkarem, Jenin, Ramallah-Albireh, and Hebron.

Provide trauma-informed in-depth interviews to select healthcare providers, exploring the key sources of distress, and the protective factors exhibited my providers.

Produce and disseminate mixed methods reports, documenting the psychological toll and recommendations for supporting impacted Palestinian first responders and healthcare providers.

Research Methodology

Mixed method approach, qualitative and quantitative to enhance capacity at capturing the layered and nuanced experience of Palestinian first responders and healthcare providers confronted with Israeli occupation forces and settler violence in the West Bank.

1. Quantitative Component: Use of nomothetic psychological measures, all include validated Arabic versions including:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD),

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9),

Perceived Stress Scale (PSS),

Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS)

Moral Injury and Distress Scale (MIDS)

Job Insecurity Scale (JIS),

InCharge Financial Distress/ Financial Well-Being Scale

2. Qualitative component: Apply participatory action research methods, which centers the voices of those impacted most, includes popular knowledge, and focuses on empowering participants, through use of the interview space as a space for critical consciousness. Sub-components include:

In-depth interviews

Focus group for participants to reflect and ascribe meaning to how they derive sumod in the face of ongoing attacks.

Contextual data: a Socio-economic data search, to contextualize the testimonies of participants, and explore whether economic indicators correlate with individual responses.

Budget

1. Transportation

2. Taxis to and from different regions of West Bank

3. Reserving space to conduct focus groups

4. Reserve space to conduct in-depth individual interviews

5. Data Collection

6. Data Analysis and transcription of in-depth interviews & focus groups

7. Data interpretation, Discussion, & Findings

Application Instructions

Interested applicants are encouraged to send their CV and financial offer in USD to West Bank MAP’s office email [email protected] no later than 25th of September 2024. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Location Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jericho, Salfit, Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Tubas

Deadline 25, Sep

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