Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (Aug 2020)
The Lived Experience of Nurses Caring for Patients with COVID-19 in Iran: A Phenomenological Study
Abstract
Zohreh Karimi,1 Zhila Fereidouni,2 Mohammad Behnammoghadam,3,4 Nasrollah Alimohammadi,5 Ali Mousavizadeh,6 Tahmine Salehi,7 Mohammad Saeed Mirzaee,8 Sobhan Mirzaee9 1Department of Operating Room, School of Paramedicine, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran; 2Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Nursing School, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Fars, Iran; 3School of Nursing, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran; 4School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; 5Critical Care Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; 6Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran; 7Nursing Care Research Center (NCRC), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 8School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 9Student Research Committee, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, IranCorrespondence: Mohammad Behnammoghadam School of Nursing and MidwiferyIsfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranEmail [email protected] Saeed Mirzaee School of Nursing and MidwiferyIran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranEmail [email protected]: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in Iran.Methods: This study was a descriptive phenomenology. Sampling was purposefully performed, and participants were selected in terms of the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using the WhatsApp mobile messaging application. Colaizzi’s method was used to analyse the data. The criteria introduced by Lincoln and Guba were used for the study rigour.Results: The data were obtained from 12 nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. The mean age of the participants was 29.41 years (SD = 2.72) with a mean work experience of 6.75 years (SD = 2.52). Three main themes and six subthemes were identified: mental condition (subthemes included “anxiety and stress” and “fear”), emotional condition (subthemes included “suffering and affliction” and “waiting for death”), and care context (subthemes included “turmoil” and “lack of support and equipment”).Conclusion: The results of this study show that nurses working in the wards and care centres designated for patients with COVID-19 are experiencing mental and emotional distress and are working in inadequate professional conditions.Keywords: nurse experience, nursing care, COVID-19, phenomenology
