Emotional Universe of Nurse Case Managers Regarding Care for Elderly at Risk in Spain: A Hermeneutical Study

Abstract

The role of nurse case managers (NCM) involves a rarely visible emotional labor, even more when their role focuses on the care of elders at risk (EAR). Motivated by the lack of qualitative research on the emotional universe of NCM, this study explores the emotional universe (EU) of NCM regarding the care they provide to EAR in primary health care as well as the reasons that generate these emotions. An interpretative–phenomenological approach was implemented in southern Spain, with a purposive sampling that included nurses playing the NCM role for at least three years. Data collection was conducted in two periods (between September 2019 and July 2022). The primary collection tool was the semi-structured individual interview, with starting categories based on Bisquerra’s EU taxonomy. The analysis followed Ricoeur’s considerations, using the Nvivo software. In the NCM’s EU, the recognition of the social phenomena stands out, with an open feeling of empathy regarding the desire of the EAR to continue living at home. However, there was also helplessness, resignation, disappointment, and frustration when EAR rejected their proposals. Furthermore, the system’s limitations aroused compassion in the NCM and made them go beyond the limits of their role. This EU requires that their role be valued more, and higher responsiveness must be enforced to improve EAR care.

Primary Health Care Case-Management Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

“…CMNs adapted well to this new circumstance and showed their commitment and responsibility; as indicated by Chang and Eun (2022), nursing professionals built up their resilience to be able to better adapt to the extremely complex situation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic [ 25 ].…”

“…After the pandemic, CMNs have become a reference figure in primary care in Spain, since the planning and coordination of the most complex and vulnerable people is fundamental; this is consistent with the belief of Pastor et al (2022) that organizations and institutions should recognize the work of these professionals, given the current scenario of precariousness of the social and health context for the elderly at risk, which has increased during the pandemic. For all of the above, greater interdisciplinarity, counseling, and inter-institutional coordination are needed to provide a better response to vulnerability and avoid referrals to the public prosecutor’s office [ 25 ].…”