The immediate and short-term impact of COVID 19 infections on nurses in a UAE hospital

Abstract

Background/Aims Nurses were on the front line against the COVID 19 pandemic, fighting to save human lives. Many nurses sacrificed their well-being and social life to win the battle. In consequence, many nurses have been infected with the virus around the Globe. This study aims to determine the immediate and short-term physical, psychological, and social impact of COVID 19 infection on nurses and midwives retrospectively. On the other hand, it aims to find the effect of COVID 19 stigma on the self-esteem of the infected nurses. Methods To achieve this goal, the authors used an exploratory, mixed-method design with a sample of nurses and midwives working in a tertiary hospital in UAE who has been infected with the COVID 19 virus and recovered. The authors have used the qualitative results to explain and interpret the findings of the quantitative findings. The data were collected through distributing the quantitative survey to participants and then it was followed by conducting semi-structured interviews. Results The careful exploration of the experiences of nurses infected with the COVID 19 virus suggested a simple model that manages the patients in hospitals and at homes, including improving self-efficacy and patient coping, providing the basic nursing skills to patients and families, providing continuous psychological support, and providing high standards of health care. Conclusion The new suggested model will maintain a positive status of wellbeing amongst infected patients during the infection time and in 3–6 months after the infection.

Experiences and perspectives of nurses infected with COVID‐19: A qualitative systematic review and meta‐synthesis

“…Table 2 summarizes the included studies conducted mainly in China ( K = 6) (Chun et al, 2021; Dou et al, 2021; He et al, 2021; Jiang et al, 2022; Luo et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2021), Turkey ( K = 4) (Özlük & Bikmaz, 2021; Ruveyde & Bulut, 2022; Savas et al, 2022; Topdemir et al, 2022), Iran ( K = 2) (Safiri et al, 2022; Shali et al, 2022), Italy ( K = 2) (Piredda et al, 2022; Simeone et al, 2022), Zimbabwe ( K = 1) (Moyo et al, 2022), Indonesia ( K = 1) (Siagian & Rantung, 2022), and the United Arab Emirates ( K = 1) (Khaled et al, 2022) between 2021 and 2022. These seventeen studies involved 271 nurses, predominantly female, and covered a wide age range.…”

“…Furthermore, phenomenology ( K = 10) (Chun et al, 2021; Dou et al, 2021; He et al, 2021; Jiang et al, 2022; Khaled et al, 2022; Luo et al, 2022; Moyo et al, 2022; Piredda et al, 2022; Siagian & Rantung, 2022; Simeone et al, 2022) and descriptive qualitative research ( K = 7) (Özlük & Bikmaz, 2021; Ruveyde & Bulut, 2022; Safiri et al, 2022; Savas et al, 2022; Shali et al, 2022; Topdemir et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2021) were the primary methodological approaches employed. Data collection methods included semi‐structured interviews ( K = 16) (Chun et al, 2021; Dou et al, 2021; He et al, 2021; Jiang et al, 2022; Khaled et al, 2022; Luo et al, 2022; Moyo et al, 2022; Özlük & Bikmaz, 2021; Ruveyde & Bulut, 2022; Safiri et al, 2022; Savas et al, 2022; Shali et al, 2022; Siagian & Rantung, 2022; Simeone et al, 2022; Topdemir et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2021), individual interviews ( K = 1) (Piredda et al, 2022), and focus group interviews ( K = 1) (Piredda et al, 2022), with many conducted remotely due to pandemic restrictions. Various data analysis methods were used, such as content analysis ( K = 5) (Dou et al, 2021; Özlük & Bikmaz, 2021; Safiri et al, 2022; Savas et al, 2022; Shali et al, 2022), thematic analysis ( K = 4) (Khaled et al, 2022; Ruveyde & Bulut, 2022; Topdemir et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2021), and Colaizzi's Seven‐step analysis ( K = 4) (Chun et al, 2021; Jiang et al, 2022; Luo et al, 2022; Siagian & Rantung, 2022).…”

“…Data collection methods included semi‐structured interviews ( K = 16) (Chun et al, 2021; Dou et al, 2021; He et al, 2021; Jiang et al, 2022; Khaled et al, 2022; Luo et al, 2022; Moyo et al, 2022; Özlük & Bikmaz, 2021; Ruveyde & Bulut, 2022; Safiri et al, 2022; Savas et al, 2022; Shali et al, 2022; Siagian & Rantung, 2022; Simeone et al, 2022; Topdemir et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2021), individual interviews ( K = 1) (Piredda et al, 2022), and focus group interviews ( K = 1) (Piredda et al, 2022), with many conducted remotely due to pandemic restrictions. Various data analysis methods were used, such as content analysis ( K = 5) (Dou et al, 2021; Özlük & Bikmaz, 2021; Safiri et al, 2022; Savas et al, 2022; Shali et al, 2022), thematic analysis ( K = 4) (Khaled et al, 2022; Ruveyde & Bulut, 2022; Topdemir et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2021), and Colaizzi's Seven‐step analysis ( K = 4) (Chun et al, 2021; Jiang et al, 2022; Luo et al, 2022; Siagian & Rantung, 2022).…”

“…This theme delves into the emotional experiences of nurses when testing positive for COVID‐19 (He et al, 2021; Ruveyde & Bulut, 2022; Siagian & Rantung, 2022; Simeone et al, 2022), during quarantine and therapy (Chun et al, 2021; Dou et al, 2021; He et al, 2021; Khaled et al, 2022; Luo et al, 2022; Moyo et al, 2022; Özlük & Bikmaz, 2021; Piredda et al, 2022; Ruveyde & Bulut, 2022; Safiri et al, 2022; Siagian & Rantung, 2022; Simeone et al, 2022; Topdemir et al, 2022), and after recovery (Dou et al, 2021; Ruveyde & Bulut, 2022). It encompasses a wide range of emotions such as disbelief, shock, sadness, anxiety, fear, anger, and confusion, often accompanied by psychological stress.…”

“…This theme delves into the support systems accessible to nurses and the social stigma they may encounter during the pandemic. It encompasses sub‐themes including family support, organizational support, social support, and social stigma (Chun et al, 2021; He et al, 2021; Jiang et al, 2022; Khaled et al, 2022; Moyo et al, 2022; Özlük & Bikmaz, 2021; Piredda et al, 2022; Ruveyde & Bulut, 2022; Safiri et al, 2022; Savas et al, 2022; Shali et al, 2022; Siagian & Rantung, 2022; Simeone et al, 2022; Topdemir et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2021). In contrast to familial support, the support provided by organizations and society holds greater significance.…”