This study aimed to determine the challenges, motivation and coping mechanisms of medical frontliners of Zamboanga City Medical Center in the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that focused on determining the challenges being experienced by the medical frontliners, as well as their motivation along with the varying coping mechanisms. A total of 188 medical frontliners participated in the study. The majority of the participants of this study are males, 25 to 34 years of age, single and Roman Catholics, who live with their family and with 2 to 5 years of work experience in the hospital, mostly are nurses. Respondents identified 1) Required to wear PPE everyday, 2) Heard reports of new cases in the media, 3) Mistakes or losing consideration for a short time can cause to contract the disease, 4) Witnessed co-workers are stressed or scared, and 5) Transmission of the virus to family or friends as the top responses for challenges. Respondents identified 1) Family support, 2) Adequate protective equipment in the hospital, 3) Acknowledgement from management and supervisors for efforts done, 4) Not forced to do overtime work, and 5) Financial compensation as the top 5 motivational factors. Respondents identified questions 1) Follow appropriate step to protect self, 2) Stores clothes for work separately and wear hospital clothes at work, 3) Reading about COVID-19 news, 4) Avoidance of public area, and 5) Carry out health check-ups to be their top 5 coping mechanisms in the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is concluded that all of the medical frontliners of ZCMC are experiencing these stresses with others in the workplace but have been proven to be still motivated to work and able to apply their coping strategies. Although much known about medical frontliners distress during this Pandemic, it is important to determine its manifestation and effect in the future as well, it also important to explore in details the many aspects in which medical frontliners are motivated, and to put emphasis on the different individualized coping mechanisms of these individuals. This study identified information on the medical frontliners’ distress, motivation and coping mechanism and urge future research on strategies in enhancing medical frontliners’ wellbeing. To continue to provide uninterrupted, quality care, the healthcare workforce – human beings – must be empowered and encouraged to take care of themselves during this time of pandemic.

Keyword: Challenges, motivation, and coping mechanism Medical frontliners in the COVID-19 pandemic