Nurse's Psychological Experiences of Caring for Severe COVID-19 Patients in Intensive Care Units: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Abstract

BackgroundCOVID-19 has been listed as an international public health emergency. During the pandemic, the nurses were affected physically and mentally when in contact with and caring for patients infected with COVID-19, especially those in intensive care units (ICUs).ObjectiveTo summarize and evaluate the actual psychological experience of nurses caring for patients with severe pneumonia in the ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsRelevant publications were identified by systematic searches across 11 databases in December 2021. All qualitative and mixed-method studies in English and Chinese from 2019 that explored the experiences of nurses who cared for severe COVID-19 patients in ICUs were included. The qualitative meta-synthesis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and assessed the quality of each study. Meta-synthesis was performed to integrate the results.ResultsA total of 12 studies revealed 9 sub-themes and 3 descriptive themes: physical reactions and psychological changes, the need for support from multiple sources, and increased adaptation and resilience.ConclusionNurses who treated severe COVID-19 patients have experienced severe work trials and emotional reactions during the pandemic. They have also developed personally in this process. Managers should develop strategies that address the nurse's needs for external support, reasonably respond to public health emergencies, and improve nursing care outcomes.

Psychological impact of COVID‐19 on nurses caring for patients during COVID‐19 pandemic in Gaborone

“…Studies have shown that psychological adaptation and social support are intermediate in psychological rehabilitation under outbreak stress (Mak et al, 2009 ). A meta‐analysis of nurses' experiences caring for patients in intensive care units indicated that they needed support from friends and families when caring for patients during COVID‐19 (Han et al, 2022 ). In this study, participants reported that they resorted to their families and friends for strength and support.…”

Italian nurses’ experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic through social media: A longitudinal mixed methods study of Internet posts

“…5 Several qualitative systematic and scoping reviews have reported the concerns and the vulnerability perceived by nurses. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Overall, studies have highlighted their experiences regarding the poor organizational support, the lived difficulties in wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), the physical symptoms experienced (e.g. insomnia, headache, and fatigue) and the frustration of not being able to read up on the best evidence about COVID-19.…”

“…insomnia, headache, and fatigue) and the frustration of not being able to read up on the best evidence about COVID-19. [6][7][8][9][10][11] In addition, nurses have reported experiencing psychological exhaustion as fear (e.g. of being infected and infecting their acquaintances), depression, anxiety and feelings of helplessness and uncertainty, as well as post-traumatic and workrelated stress disorders.…”

“…of being infected and infecting their acquaintances), depression, anxiety and feelings of helplessness and uncertainty, as well as post-traumatic and workrelated stress disorders. [6][7][8][9][10][11] However, nurses' perspectives have been documented mainly according to qualitative approaches (e.g. phenomenological and descriptive) [6][7][8][9][10][11] using interviews and focus groups to collect data on lived experiences from the frontline.…”

“…[6][7][8][9][10][11] However, nurses' perspectives have been documented mainly according to qualitative approaches (e.g. phenomenological and descriptive) [6][7][8][9][10][11] using interviews and focus groups to collect data on lived experiences from the frontline.…”