Occupational Challenges of Intensive Care Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been spreading rapidly as a pandemic and posed numerous challenges to healthcare workers (HCWs), especially nurses. This study aimed to investigate the occupational challenges experienced by intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in caring for patients with COVID-19. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a conventional content analysis method in September and October 2020. The study environment was the ICU wards dedicated to the patients of COVID-19 in a large hospital in east of Iran. The participants were selected by purposeful sampling method, and data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 17 nurses working in the COVID-19 ICUs. Data analysis was done with MAXQDA 2020. Results: The data analysis led to the extraction of 6 main categories and 17 sub-categories. The main challenges included "payment system", "human resource management", "consumable resource supply", "psychological and ethical distress", "personal or family problems", and "staff motivation and welfare issues". Conclusion: Considering the key and important role of nurses in the healthcare system, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to increase their motivation by applying a fair and non-discriminatory payment system and paying special attention to psychological issues. Also, managerial support and provision of required facilities and manpower have a significant impact on reducing their occupational challenges in caring for patients with COVID-19.

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

“…In line with the results of the present study, other studies have shown that nurses may not be prepared to communicate with dying patients and their families, 22 , 23 and they may become stressed and fear observing dying patients. 24 Studies conducted during previous pandemic consistently highlight that a relevant proportion of nurses is at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. 25 The development of post-traumatic stress distress among nurses represents a crucial issue, since the impact of traumatic experiences may have significant long-lasting effects.…”

Exploring the Midwives’ Experiences of Providing Delivery Care for Women with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Infection: A Qualitative Study

“…5,6 Lack or inadequacy of medical facilities, lack of personnel, unpredictable nature of the disease, widespread transmission of the virus, fear of contracting the disease and transmitting it to others, increased working hours, work pressure (physical and emotional), burnout, disruption in service delivery and Changing to telemedicine has been one of the challenges. [7][8][9][10][11] Immediately after the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic, mandatory restrictions were imposed on providing midwifery care in hospitals and health centers. The primary goal of these mandatory measures was to reduce the transmission of the virus by reducing physical contact.…”

“…17 According to studies, in addition to the fear of contracting the disease and the risk of its transmission to family members, lack of protective facilities, lack of access to diagnostic tests for screening, feelings of insufficient support, settling in a new and unfamiliar unit, compliance with rapid changes in guidelines were among other challenges that could lead to a decrease in the quality of midwifery care services. 7,18 On the other hand, many changes were made in the way healthcare services were provided, which included social distancing measures, postponing unnecessary surgeries, avoiding unnecessary referrals, and performing some healthcare operations online. 19 Pregnancy and childbirth care significantly changed under these conditions.…”

“…5 , 6 Lack or inadequacy of medical facilities, lack of personnel, unpredictable nature of the disease, widespread transmission of the virus, fear of contracting the disease and transmitting it to others, increased working hours, work pressure (physical and emotional), burnout, disruption in service delivery and Changing to telemedicine has been one of the challenges. 7 - 11 …”

“…17 According to studies, in addition to the fear of contracting the disease and the risk of its transmission to family members, lack of protective facilities, lack of access to diagnostic tests for screening, feelings of insufficient support, settling in a new and unfamiliar unit, compliance with rapid changes in guidelines were among other challenges that could lead to a decrease in the quality of midwifery care services. 7 , 18 …”