The global response to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about massive health, social and economic impacts. Based on the pressing need to respond to the crisis, clinical trials and epidemiological studies have been undertaken, however less attention has been paid to the contextualized experiences and meanings attributed to COVID-19 and strategies to mitigate its spread on healthcare workers, patients, and other various groups. This commentary examines the relevance of qualitative approaches in capturing deeper understandings of current lived realities of those affected by the pandemic. Two main challenges associated with the development of qualitative research in the COVID-19 context, namely “time constraints” and “physical distancing” are addressed. Reflections on how to undertake qualitative healthcare research given the evolving restrictions are provided. These considerations are important for the integration of qualitative findings into policies and practices that will shape the current response to the pandemic and beyond.

The role of art in medicine is complex, varied and uncertain. To examine one aspect of the relationship between art and medicine, investigators analysed the interactions between a professional artist and five adult patients with head and neck cancer as they cocreated portraits in a clinical setting. The artist and four members of an interdisciplinary team analysed the portraits as well as journal entries, transcripts of portrait sessions and semistructured interviews. Over the course of 5 months, 24 artworks evolved from sittings that allowed both the patients and the artist to collaborate around stories of illness, suffering and recovery. Using narrative inquiry and qualitative arts-based research techniques five emergent themes were identified: embracing uncertainties; developing trusting relationships; engaging in reflective practices; creating shared stories; and empowerment. Similar themes are found in successful physician-patient relationships. This paper will discuss these findings and potential implications for healthcare and medical education.

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Background and objective: Nursing competencies can be enhanced by the development of emotional intelligence, which promotes self-knowledge. Personality models, such as the Enneagram model, have been used to develop self-knowledge, and thus may contribute to increasing emotional intelligence. However, few studies have examined perceptions of the use of the Enneagram model on nursing competencies. This qualitative study aims to explore the perceptions of nursing educators and advanced practice nurses about the impact of Enneagram model training on the development of their professional competencies.Methods: This qualitative study used individual interviews and thematic analysis according to Miles and Huberman’s method. The nine participants were nursing educators and advanced practice nurses. Interviews were conducted between six and eight weeks after the Enneagram model training.Results: Results revealed that the Enneagram model may contribute to developing emotional intelligence. Participants perceived the Enneagram model training as promoting better self-awareness and understanding of others. It could also support the development of nursing competencies: humanistic action, collaboration, clinical leadership and support for learning in practice settings.Conclusions: The use of the Enneagram model could help nurses develop their emotional intelligence and optimize their practice while preserving their mental health. Implications for Nursing Administration: These findings are important for managers responsible for supporting nurses’ competencies and mental health through complex care situations in a context of change.

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