The Paradox of the Double Bind: Phenomenologizing Stigmatization Experiences of Filipino Registered Medical Technologists during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought light to the issue of stigmatization towards healthcare workers. The lack of literature and awareness regarding the stigmatization of healthcare workers, specifically Filipino registered medical technologists (RMTs), called for this phenomenological study to focus on such an issue. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Santo Tomas with REC Approval no. FOP-REC-2021-02-159. This study involved twelve (12) Filipino RMTs who were recruited via snowballing technique. Data was gathered through a semi-structured one-on-one interview which lasted for one to two hours. The recorded interviews were transcribed, read, and re-read by the study proponents. Colaizzi's method was utilized to bring out the essence of the phenomenon being studied. Through this method, 46,925 words were analyzed. Meaning units, condensed units, subthemes and themes were derived through phenomenological reduction. Through constant comparative analyses, this study describes four (4) typologies of stigma experienced by the Filipino RMTs during the COVID-19 pandemic, namely: Wrong Assumptions, Misinformation, False Accusations, and Rejection. To overcome these struggles, they developed coping mechanisms which included: Gift of Motivation, Gift of Profession, Gift of Family, Gift of Understanding, Gift of Conviction, and Gift of Resilience. Correspondence technique, member checking procedures, and critical friend technique were carried out to ensure the validity and reliability of findings. The findings obtained in the study offer a vivid perspective of the lived experiences of Filipino RMTs during the COVID-19 pandemic which may inspire efforts to eliminate stigmatization towards registered medical technologists.