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Sutherland J, Collier R, Si B, Alramadeen W, Palmer D. Original Research: Exploring U.S. Nurses' Perceived Duty to Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Nurs 2024; 124:22-30. [PMID: 38598257 DOI: 10.1097/01.naj.0001014536.77472.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duty to care is both an integral concept in health care and a fundamental nursing obligation. But nurses' perceptions of duty to care can be moderated by their experiences in the practice setting. Research examining nurses' perceptions of their duty to care during the COVID-19 pandemic could shed light on how the pandemic is affecting the nursing workforce. PURPOSE This study aimed to examine nurses' sense of duty to care during the early months of the pandemic, using the Nash Duty to Care Scale (NDCS), and to compare the high-scoring nurses with the low-scoring nurses. METHODS This quantitative study used a descriptive, cross-sectional design. It was conducted among licensed RNs enrolled at two accredited nursing programs in the Northeast region of the United States. Data were collected via a demographics questionnaire and the NDCS. A two-step cluster procedure was used to categorize participants into two groups: those with high perceived duty to care (HPDC) and those with low perceived duty to care (LPDC). Independent t tests were performed to compare NDCS results between the two groups. RESULTS Nearly two-thirds (61%) of the participants had total NDCS scores indicating an HPDC, while 39% had scores indicating an LPDC. Of the NDCS's four subscales, perceived obligation and perceived risk were the most important in separating participants into the low- and high-scoring groups. CONCLUSIONS This study adds to the literature about the components that affected nurses' perceived duty to care and willingness to report to work during the early months of the pandemic. Just as nurses have a duty to care, health care organizations have an obligation to provide a safe working environment so that nurses can fulfill that duty without sacrificing personal safety. The study findings may guide health care leaders, systems, and organizations regarding how to create safer work environments that support the nurse's duty to care during disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi Sutherland
- Jodi Sutherland is an assistant professor at the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton, where Rosemary Collier is an assistant professor and Deborah Palmer is a clinical assistant professor. Bing Si is an assistant professor in the Department of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering, SUNY Binghamton. Wesam Alramadeen is an assistant professor in the Operations and Analytics Department at the University of Scranton, Scranton, PA; at the time of this study, he was a PhD candidate in the Department of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering, SUNY Binghamton. The authors acknowledge Melissa Sutherland, PhD, MSN, FAAN, for her writing assistance, technical editing, and proofreading. Contact author: Jodi Sutherland, . The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise
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Cuellar-Pompa L, Rodríguez-Gómez JÁ, Novo-Muñoz MM, Rodríguez-Novo N, Rodríguez-Novo YM, Martínez-Alberto CE. Description and Analysis of Research on Death and Dying during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Published in Nursing Journals Indexed in SCOPUS. NURSING REPORTS 2024; 14:655-674. [PMID: 38525696 PMCID: PMC10961780 DOI: 10.3390/nursrep14020050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM To offer an overall picture of the research published regarding the different aspects of death and dying during the COVID-19 pandemic in journals covering the field of nursing in the Scopus database. DESIGN bibliometric analysis. METHODS The metadata obtained were exported from Scopus for subsequent analysis through Bibliometrix. Using the VOSviewer co-word analysis function, the conceptual and thematic structure of the publications was identified. RESULTS A total of 119 papers were retrieved, with the participation of 527 authors. The publications were found in 71 journals covering the nursing area. The main lines of research revolved around the keywords "palliative care" and "end-of-life care" in regard to the ethical, psychological, and organizational challenges faced by the health professionals who cared for these patients. CONCLUSION The results obtained offer a range of data and images that characterize the scientific production published on this topic, coming to the conclusion that, due to the multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach to the experience of death, care, and accompaniment in the dying process, bibliometric maps improve the comprehensive understanding of the semantic and conceptual structure of this field of research. This study was retrospectively registered with the OSF Registries on the 14 March 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Cuellar-Pompa
- Instituto de Investigación en Cuidados del Ilustre Colegio de Enfermeros de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Calle San Martín, 63, 38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - José Ángel Rodríguez-Gómez
- Departamento de Enfermería, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Sección de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de La Laguna, Sta. María Soledad, s/n, Apartado 456, C. P., 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (J.Á.R.-G.); (M.M.N.-M.); (N.R.-N.)
| | - María Mercedes Novo-Muñoz
- Departamento de Enfermería, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Sección de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de La Laguna, Sta. María Soledad, s/n, Apartado 456, C. P., 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (J.Á.R.-G.); (M.M.N.-M.); (N.R.-N.)
| | - Natalia Rodríguez-Novo
- Departamento de Enfermería, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Sección de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de La Laguna, Sta. María Soledad, s/n, Apartado 456, C. P., 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; (J.Á.R.-G.); (M.M.N.-M.); (N.R.-N.)
| | - Yurena M. Rodríguez-Novo
- Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Carretera General del Rosario, 145, 38010 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Carlos-Enrique Martínez-Alberto
- Escuela de Enfermería Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Carretera General del Rosario, 145, 38010 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain;
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Azoulay E, Pochard F, Argaud L, Cariou A, Clere-Jehl R, Guisset O, Labbé V, Tamion F, Bruneel F, Jourdain M, Reuter D, Klouche K, Kouatchet A, Souppart V, Lautrette A, Bohé J, Vieillard Baron A, Dellamonica J, Papazian L, Reignier J, Barbier F, Dumas G, Kentish-Barnes N. Resilience and Mental-Health Symptoms in ICU Healthcare Professionals Facing Repeated COVID-19 Waves. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 209:573-583. [PMID: 38163380 PMCID: PMC10919111 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202305-0806oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Psychological resilience (the ability to thrive in adversity) may protect against mental-health symptoms in healthcare professionals during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) waves. Objectives: To identify determinants of resilience in ICU staff members. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey in 21 French ICUs, staff members completed the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (for post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]). Factors independently associated with resilience were identified. Measurements and Main Results: The response rate was 73.1% (950 of 1,300). The median 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale score was 29 (interquartile range, 25-32). Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD were present in 61%, 39%, and 36% of staff members, respectively. Distress associated with the COVID-19 infodemic was correlated with symptoms of depression and PTSD. More resilient respondents less often had symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Greater resilience was independently associated with male sex, having provided intensive care during the early waves, having managed more than 50 patients with COVID-19, and, compared with earlier waves, working longer hours, having greater motivation, and more often involving families in end-of-life decisions. Independent risk factors for lower resilience were having managed more than 10 patients who died of COVID-19, having felt frightened or isolated, and greater distress from the COVID-19 infodemic. Conclusions: This study identifies modifiable determinants of resilience among ICU staff members. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether prior resilience decreases the risk of mental ill health during subsequent challenges. Hospital and ICU managers, for whom preserving mental well-being among staff members is a key duty, should pay careful attention to resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Azoulay
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint Louis University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France; FAMIREA study group
| | - Frédéric Pochard
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint Louis University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France; FAMIREA study group
| | - Laurent Argaud
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Alain Cariou
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Cochin University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France
| | | | - Olivier Guisset
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint-André Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Vincent Labbé
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Tenon University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Fabienne Tamion
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Fabrice Bruneel
- Intensive Care Unit, André Mignot Hospital, Le Chesnay, France
| | - Mercé Jourdain
- Intensive Care Unit, Lille University Hospital-Roger Salengro Site, INSERM, Lille, France
| | - Danielle Reuter
- Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Sud Francilien Hospital, Corbeil, France
| | - Kada Klouche
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Lapeyronie University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Achille Kouatchet
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - Virginie Souppart
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint Louis University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France; FAMIREA study group
| | | | - Julien Bohé
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Hôpital Lyon Sud, Lyon, France
| | - Antoine Vieillard Baron
- Intensive Care Unit, Ambroise-Paré University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Jean Dellamonica
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, UR2CA Clinical Research Unit, Côte d'Azur University, Nice, France
- Nice University Hospital, Nice, France
| | - Laurent Papazian
- Respiratory and Infectious Diseases Intensive Care Unit, Marseille-Nord University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Jean Reignier
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, UR 4334 Movement-Interactions-Performance Research Unit, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France; and
| | - Francois Barbier
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, La Source Hospital, Orléans Regional Hospital, Orléans, France
| | - Guillaume Dumas
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint Louis University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France; FAMIREA study group
| | - Nancy Kentish-Barnes
- Medical Intensive Care Unit, Saint Louis University Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France; FAMIREA study group
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Gil-Almagro F, García-Hedrera FJ, Carmona-Monge FJ, Peñacoba-Puente C. From Anxiety to Hardiness: The Role of Self-Efficacy in Spanish CCU Nurses in the COVID-19 Pandemic. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:215. [PMID: 38399503 PMCID: PMC10890432 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60020215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Evidence shows that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses suffered from emotional symptoms, yet in spite of this, few studies within "positive psychology" have analyzed the emergence/promotion of positive traits, such as hardiness. In this context, the present study aimed to test a model regarding the mediating role of self-efficacy between anxiety experienced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and hardiness assessed six months later among nurses in critical care units (CCU) in Spain. Materials and Methods: An observational, descriptive, prospective longitudinal study with two data collection periods: (1) from the 1 to the 21 June 2020 (final phase of the state of alarm declared in Spain on 14 March) in which socio-demographic and occupational variables, anxiety (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, DASS-21), self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale, GSES) and basal resilience (Resilience Scale-14, RS-14) were assessed, and (2) a follow-up 6 months later (January-March 2021) in which hardiness (Occupational Hardiness Questionnaire, OHQ) was evaluated. To analyze the data, multivariate regressions were performed using the PROCESS macro (simple mediation, model 4). Results: A total of 131 Spanish nurses from CCUs, with a mean age of 40.54 years (88.5% women) participated in the study. Moderate and severe levels of anxiety were observed in 19.1% of the sample. Significant and positive correlations were observed between self-efficacy, hardiness and resilience (all p < 0.001). Significant negative correlations were observed between anxiety and self-efficacy (p < 0.001), hardiness (p = 0.027) and resilience (p = 0.005). The indirect effect of anxiety on hardiness through self-efficacy was significant (Effect (SE) = -0.275 (0.100); LLCI = -0.487, ULCI = -0.097), contributing to 28% of the variance, including resilience (p = 0.015), age (p = 0.784), gender (p = 0.294) and years of experience (p = 0.652) as covariates. A total mediation was observed (non-significant anxiety-hardiness direct effect; Effect (SE) = -0.053 (0.215), t = 0.248, p = 0.804, LLCI = -0.372, ULCI = 0.479). Conclusions: The results suggest that in Spanish CCU nurses, anxiety experienced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic may contribute to the development of hardiness through positive resources such as self-efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Gil-Almagro
- Departamento de Psicología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain;
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain;
| | | | | | - Cecilia Peñacoba-Puente
- Departamento de Psicología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain;
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Ishizaki S, Jindai K, Saito H, Oshitani H, Kulstad Gonzalez T. Patient Admission and Mechanical Ventilator Allocation Decision-Making Processes by Frontline Medical Professionals in a Japanese ICU During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 33:1291-1304. [PMID: 37846588 PMCID: PMC10666510 DOI: 10.1177/10497323231201026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to triage COVID-19 patients in ICUs emerged globally. Triage guidelines were established in many countries; however, the actual triage decision-making processes and decisions themselves made by frontline medical providers may not have exactly reflected those guidelines. Despite the need to understand decisions and processes in practice regarding patient ICU admission and mechanical ventilator usage to identify areas of improvement for medical care provision, such research is limited. This qualitative study was conducted to identify the decision-making processes regarding COVID-19 patient ICU admissions and mechanical ventilator allocation by frontline medical providers and issues associated with those processes in an ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with ICU physicians and nurses working at an urban tertiary referral hospital in Japan between February and April 2022. Patient characteristics that influenced triage decisions made by physicians and the interaction between physicians, nurses, and senior management staff upon making such decisions are discussed in this article. An implicated issue was the lack of legal support for Japanese physicians to practice withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments even during emergencies. Another issue was the impact of non-clinical forces-likely specific to health emergencies-on physicians' decisions regarding mechanical ventilator allocation, where such forces imposed a significant mental burden on the medical providers. We consider public policy and legal implications for future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakura Ishizaki
- Department of Anthropology, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA, USA
| | - Kazuaki Jindai
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroki Saito
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Oshitani
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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Køster A, Fernandez AV, Meyhoff CS, Andersen LPK. Intensive care nurses' experiences of caring for isolated COVID-positive patients during first wave of COVID-19. J Intensive Care Soc 2023; 24:379-385. [PMID: 37841301 PMCID: PMC10111162 DOI: 10.1177/17511437231160073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background COVID-19 has fundamentally changed all fields of health care. Intensive care nurses have been at the forefront of the pandemic facing the massive impact of the disease, both professionally and personally. This study investigated nurses' experiences of caring for isolated COVID-19 positive patients in the intensive care department during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study investigated how isolation affected the nurses themselves, how they related with their patients, and how isolation affected patient care in general. Methods The study was performed at a 20-bed university hospital intensive care department in Copenhagen, Denmark. COVID-19 positive patients were isolated or cohort isolated. A dedicated nurse cared for each isolated patient and wore full personal protective equipment. The study is based on in-depth phenomenological interviews with intensive care nurses conducted in summer 2020. The interviews were structured according to the principles of "Phenomenologically Grounded Qualitative Research." The data included observations from within the isolated patient rooms. Findings Six intensive care nurses participated in the study. The analysis documented following themes consistently reported by all nurses: (1) a general sense of uncanniness, (2) intense feelings of confinement and co-isolation, and (3) heightened senses of bodily objectification, including how nurses' experienced their patients and also themselves. Conclusion This is the first Scandinavian phenomenological study to focus on mapping the experiences of intensive care nurses during the extreme circumstances of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further studies may explore long-term effects, such as psychiatric morbidity or psychological functioning in these individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Køster
- The Danish National Center for Grief, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anthony Vincent Fernandez
- Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christian Sylvest Meyhoff
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Peter Kloster Andersen
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Sikioti T, Zartaloudi A, Pappa D, Mangoulia P, Fradelos EC, Kourti FE, Koutelekos I, Dousis E, Margari N, Stavropoulou A, Evangelou E, Dafogianni C. Stress and burnout among Greek critical care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMS Public Health 2023; 10:755-774. [PMID: 38187893 PMCID: PMC10764964 DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2023051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Occupational stress and burnout of health personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially of the nursing population in intensive care units (ICUs), were quite frequent along with negative effects and a direct correlation with the manifestation of many physical, behavioral and psychological symptoms. For the purposes of this research, a quantitative survey was carried out, in which 153 ICU nurses of secondary and tertiary public hospitals in Greece participated. Nurses completed anonymously and voluntarily a special electronic questionnaire about stress, burnout, personal concerns about the pandemic, the consequences of the outbreak and their resilience toward COVID-19 patients' care. Specific validated scales were used in this study. Female nurses felt, to a greater extent than males, work-related burnout, especially patient-related burnout and total burnout. There was a statistically significant negative relationship between the existence of a psychological support group within a hospital and personal burnout. Participants who had experience in caring for SARS-CoV-2 patients had higher mental resilience than those without experience. As the consequences experienced by the health professionals of the reference COVID-19 hospitals were increased, so did mental resilience and stress coping strategies during the pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak and the conditions configurated in the health system had negative effects on the psycho-emotional state of ICU nurses. The manifestation of anxiety, stress and burnout had a direct correlation with both the work and personal functionality of the nurses and the whole of the healthcare services provided. The early recognition of symptoms and their individualized management are imperative for the protection of the psycho-emotional well-being of nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Despoina Pappa
- Faculty of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Polyxeni Mangoulia
- Faculty of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Eleni Evangelou
- Faculty of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
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Nasaif H, Aldiabat K, Alshammari M, Albloushi M, Alblooshi SM, Yaqoob S. The Lived Experiences of Nurses Caring for Patients With COVID-19 in Arabian Gulf Countries: A Multisite Descriptive Phenomenological Study. Glob Qual Nurs Res 2023; 10:23333936231155052. [PMID: 36855739 PMCID: PMC9969219 DOI: 10.1177/23333936231155052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies worldwide have explored nurses' experiences of caring for COVID-19 patients in various healthcare settings. However, these studies were conducted in context, culture, and healthcare systems that differ greatly from the Arabian Gulf context. This descriptive phenomenological study aimed to understand nurses' lived experiences caring for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Arabian Gulf countries. Individual virtual interviews were conducted with 36 nurses from five countries and were analyzed using Giorgi's methodology. Four main themes were identified: (1) living with doubts, (2) living through the chaos of challenges, (3) moving toward professional resilience, and (4) reaching the maximum level of potential. The findings from this study hopefully will guide health organizations in this region in developing strategies and policies to support and prepare nurses for future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Husain Nasaif
- Royal College of Surgeons in
Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen, Kingdom of Bahrain,Husain Nasaif, Royal College of Surgeons in
Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain, Building No: 2441, Road: 2835, Busaiteen,
228, Kingdom of Bahrain.
| | | | - Muna Alshammari
- The Public Authority for Applied
Education and Training, Safat, Kuwait
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Podgorica N, Zenzmaier C, Rungg C, Bertini B, Perkhofer S. Facing the unknown COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study with nurses and nursing assistants in three European countries. Front Public Health 2022; 10:985702. [PMID: 36523579 PMCID: PMC9744762 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.985702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is now a worldwide public health emergency. As essential and central parts of the COVID-19 patient care team, nurses and nurse assistants are facing all kinds of challenges caused by the disease and the pandemic. Understanding these challenges and the way nurses and nurse assistants handle and cope with them provides important knowledge on how to improve management of future pandemics and endemic situations. Thus, the present study explored the challenges faced by nurses and nurse asssitants who cared for COVID-19 patients in hospitals and long term care facilities in Italy, Austria and Germany. Methods The study employed a qualitative design. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants consisting on nurses (n = 30), nurse coordinators (n = 6) and nurse assistants (n = 5) from hospitals (n = 32) and long-term care facilities (n = 9) in Austria, Germany, and Italy. Data were collected between August and December 2020 through semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results The analysis of the data revealed three main themes with twelve sub-categories: (i) Knowledge, skills, and training (lack of knowledge; skills; organizational issues; training); (ii) resources and risk (lack of protective equipment; difficulties with protective equipment; risk and infection; feelings and isolation); (iii) coping strategies (humor; adaption; team effort; self-care; family and friends). Conclusion Nurses and nurse assistants who participated in this study faced many personal and professional challenges, and used different coping strategies to manage the situation. Some of these strategies can be applied to reduce these challenges and create better working conditions for nurses and nurse assistants in similar events. Further research, training of staff, and adaptation of institutional policies may help develop new strategies to face future pandemics successfully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nertila Podgorica
- Health University of Applied Sciences Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria,*Correspondence: Nertila Podgorica
| | - Christoph Zenzmaier
- Health University of Applied Sciences Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria,Christoph Zenzmaier
| | - Christine Rungg
- Health University of Applied Sciences Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
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Scandinavian Nurses’ Use of Social Media during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Berger and Luckman Inspired Analysis of a Qualitative Interview Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10071254. [PMID: 35885781 PMCID: PMC9321788 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10071254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a knowledge gap about nurses’ use of social media in relation to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, which demands the upholding of a physical distance to other people, including patients and their relatives. The study aims to explore how nurses in the Scandinavian countries used social media for professional purposes in relation to the first 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 30 nurses in three Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) were conducted. Thematic analyses were made, methodically inspired by Braun and Clarke, and theoretically inspired by Berger and Luckmann’s theory about the construction of social reality. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist was used. The results showed that social media was a socialisation tool for establishing new routines in clinical practice. Virtual meeting places supported collective understandings of a specific COVID-19 ‘reality’ and ‘knowledge’ amongst nurses, with the pandemic bringing to the fore the issue of e-professionalism among nurses relating to their clinical practice. However, social media and virtual education were not commonly used in patient contacts. Further, nurses attempted a re-socialisation of the public to proper COVID-19 behaviour through social media. Moreover, blurred boundaries between acting as a private individual and a professional nurse were identified, where ethics of the nursing profession extended to nurses’ private lives.
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