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Conflict, Health Care And Professional Perseverance: A Qualitative Study In The West Bank, Cindy A. Sousa, Amy Hagopian

Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research Faculty Research and Scholarship

The past three decades have been a time of considerable global conflict, affecting over 50 countries and causing substantial impacts on civilian health. While many effects are direct results of violence, conflict also impinges on health through indirect means. The restricted mobility of health care staff and patients, targeting of health care workers, and stressful working conditions disrupt the ability of health care workers in conflict zones to function effectively. This paper explores the challenges experienced by health care workers in West Bank, Palestine, as well as their strategies of persistence. Research activities included participant observation and interviews with health …