Significados das vivências de profissionais de enfermagem no contexto da pandemia da COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: to understand the meanings that nursing professionals attribute to their experiences in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Qualitative study with 719 professionals. Data were collected virtually and processed by Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires. The analysis was conducted in the light of the theoretical-philosophical referential of Phenomenological Sociology. Results: four categories emerged from the discourse analysis: meanings of the experiences related to oneself; meanings of the experiences related to others; meanings of the experiences related to working conditions; and meanings of the experiences faced with the uncertainties of the future. Conclusion: the experiences are marked by suffering in relation to personal aspects, to their social networks and to the world of work itself. Strategies that support these professionals currently and in continued care in the medium and long term need to be established in order to preserve their mental health.

Neoliberalism and precarious work in nursing in the COVID-19 pandemic: repercussions on mental health

“…It emphasizes, however, that precarious work precedes the pandemic context, and it is revealed and also intensifies ( 24 ) the fear of contamination and mental distress/illness, which worsens when the health service does not offer psycho-emotional assistance. Furthermore, it is related to one of the impacts of the capitalist mode of production, which degrades the well-being and affects nursing workers’ health in the expression of anguish, fear, medication intake and the feeling of worthlessness ( 25 ) , since the priority is the final product of work and not health ( 6 ) .…”

The experience of nursing professionals in high-risk obstetric emergency services in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…This fear was also related to seeing or knowing of the illness and death of co-workers, which caused intense suffering, pain and feeling of powerlessness. 19 With all these challenges and repercussions cited by HCPs, there is still one that was personal to each professional: maintaining mental health and emotional control. 9 Every day, the pressures at work, the overload, and the technical responsibility that the profession requires, among other demands, can contribute to the psychological suffering of healthcare providers.…”

“…Situations of discrimination related to the nursing profession were also mentioned. 19 In this context, the mental health of professionals can be compromised because of the daily pressures at work, such as conflict of interests and overload, the technical responsibility that the profession requires, and the tireless search for quality of care, among other factors that can contribute to the emotional imbalance of nursing professionals. 9 Strategies are needed to deal with these emotions, and a failure in these strategies can mean long-term damage to mental health.…”

Vivência dos profissionais de enfermagem em emergência obstétrica de alto risco frente à pandemia da COVID-19

“…Medo ao ver ou saber do adoecimento e morte de colegas de trabalho, causando intenso sofrimento, dor e sentimento de impotência. 19 Com todos esses desafios e reflexos citados pelos profissionais, ainda existe um que é individual a cada profissional, manter a saúde mental e o controle emocional. 9 Diuturnamente, as pressões no trabalho, a sobrecarga, a responsabilidade técnica que a profissão exige, dentre outras demandas, podem contribuir para o sofrimento psíquico dos profissionais.…”

“…Ainda foram citadas situações de discriminação relacionadas à profissão exercida. 19 Neste contexto, a saude mental dos profissionais pode estar comprometida, visto que diuturnamente existem pressões no trabalho, como o conflito de interesses e a sobrecarga, a responsabilidade técnica que a profissão exige e a busca incansável pela qualidade no cuidado, entre outros fatores que podem contribuir para o desequilíbrio emocional dos profissionais de enfermagem. 9 São necessárias estratégias para lidar com essas emoções, e o insucesso dessas estratégias pode significar dano à saude mental a longo prazo.…”