Frontline Nurses' Experiences of Patient Care in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological Study

Nurses' Views on Caring for Lonely Patients During the Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

The implementation of safety measures in hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including family visitation restrictions, forced the family to be absent during the patient's hospitalization. Nurses were confronted with new roles and responsibilities, as caring for lonely patients was a new phenomenon that emerged during the pandemic.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the nurses' views on caring for lonely patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A qualitative research method based on an inductive content analysis approach was used. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews. The sample consisted of 11 nurses who worked in COVID-19 wards and units. Content analysis was used to analyze the interview data.

RESULTS

The analysis of the data revealed three main themes: 1) caring for the patient and the family; 2) extending conventional care; and 3) developing supportive mechanisms for better care. Caring for lonely patients brought about changes in patients's management and care and significantly affected communication patterns as well as nurses' roles and responsibilities. Providing care beyond limits, supporting care through the utilization of new technologies, and transforming organization and care were mentioned as areas of challenge for nursing practice.  Conclusions: Maintaining communication and supporting the family's involvement in patient care are considered to be equal to healing for the lonely patient. Reshaping working conditions and caring practices to meet the needs of the nurses, the patients, and their families during health crises may contribute positively to the provision of holistic care for patients and their families.

Exploring Psychological Consequences of COVID-19 Pandemic on Nurses Caring Patients with COVID-19: A Qualitative Study

Introduction

COVID-19 is a new disease infecting a large number of people, and undoubtedly have psychological impacts on healthcare workers. Among healthcare staff, nurses are the most involved ones in fighting against COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to explore nurses' experiences of psychological consequences during caring patients with COVID-19.

Methods

The present qualitative study was conducted using the conventional content analysis approach (Graneheim and Lundman) Iran. Participants in this study included 15 nurses working with patients with COVID-19, selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected using in-depth interviews. The rigor of data was assessed using the criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln.

Results

Nurses reported the four following psychological consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on caring patients with COVID-19: post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, physical exhaustion, and aggressive behaviors.

Conclusion

The data showed that nurses experienced a variety of psychological consequences during caring patients with COVID-19. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor nurses' psychological problems and implement interventions to improve their mental health.

Anxiety, Depression, and Associated Factors among General Population in Indonesia during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Introduction

The 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has affected the physical and mental health of individuals, families, and communities worldwide including Indonesia. This study aimed to examine anxiety and depression in the general population and factors related to anxiety and depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This study employed an online cross-sectional survey of 1149 respondents. We assessed self-reports regarding current health conditions and exposure to COVID-19, anxiety, and depression in the general population in Indonesia.

Results

The results showed that 26.6% and 30.5% of the participants experienced mild to severe anxiety and depression, respectively. The ordinal regression test showed that anxiety in the community was significantly related to age, feeling infected with COVID-19, feeling that a friend/colleague is infected with COVID-19, sufficient information regarding COVID-19, and the types of symptoms that are felt (fever, cough, and cold/sore throat, difficulty breathing). Besides, education level, occupation, feeling that family is infected with COVID-19, symptoms experienced, and anxiety were significantly related to depression.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused anxiety and depression in the general population in Indonesia. This study's results can be a catalyst in providing psychological interventions for the general public facing the COVID-19 pandemic.