Adaptation strategies of healthcare workers to crisis in Russia (an example of the Covid-19 pandemic)

This study examines strategies used by medical workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, based on the theory of deviant behavior proposed by Hirschman and Merton. We consider four main strategies: "Voice", "Exit", "Loyalty", and "Self-organization", and use news articles from March 2020 to February 2022 to study these strategies. The articles were automatically collected from open sources such as Dzen News, Google News, and Bing News, and supplemented by regional statistical data published by Rosstat. In this study, we analyze the distribution of these strategies by region and changes in their dynamics over time, as well as the contexts in which certain strategies are used and whether there are regional differences in strategy usage. To do so, we employ methods such as descriptive statistics, natural language processing (NLP) for clustering text data, and regression modeling. During the study, we discovered that during the pandemic, fundamental problems of the healthcare system, such as the conflict between bureaucrats and professionals and a lack of material and financial resources, have become more apparent. Additionally, new problems specific to the pandemic, such as an increased workload and shortage of personal protective equipment, have emerged. These challenges force doctors to adopt strategies like "Voice", "Self-Organization", and "Exit". The strategy of "Loyalty", on the other hand, is linked to professional values and commitment to the profession. We identified a correlation between the number of activities undertaken within the "Voice", "Self-Organization" and "Loyalty" and the number of medical professionals in the region. Additionally, we found a connection between the proportion of the regional budget allocated to the healthcare system and the "Exit" strategy. The results of the study can be used to further develop the theoretical understanding of adaptation strategies for medical professionals, as well as to provide recommendations for implementing measures to support professionals in crisis situations.