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Title: | Psychological experiences of nurses during COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives |
Authors: | Hassan, Salma |
Keywords: | COVID-19 Nurses Psychological experience Qualitative |
Issue Date: | Jul-2022 |
Publisher: | Maldives National University |
Citation: | Hassan, S. (2022). Psychological experiences of nurses during COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives. Maldives National Journal of Research. 10(1), 89-98. |
Series/Report no.: | MNJR;10 |
Abstract: | The Maldivian nurses had to face and deal with unique challenges during
the coronavirus outbreak. As a result, they often faced extreme psychological pressure as
a result of working constantly with a high risk of infection from patients and working
in temporary setups with limited resources and manpower who were not well equipped
to deal with a pandemic for the first time. This study aimed to explore the psychological
experiences of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives. A descriptive
qualitative research design was used for this study. Five female nurses working in the
COVID-19 related in-patient facilities participated in semi-structured, virtual (telephone
or online) interviews. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes
emerged from the data analysis: Overwhelming experience, nurses being treated differently,
and valuing family support. The participants described the experience of being emotionally
overwhelmed. Many experienced feelings of uncertainty and grief, mainly when they had
to handle the death of COVID-19 patients under their care. Most significantly when they
had to handle the dead bodies in a body bag as it was very painful for the families not
being able to perform their last respect and rituals as per cultural practices. The second
main theme was nurses’ grievance owing to the differential treatment they were subjected
to by the public. When nurses had to go back to their resident islands, the island community
was scared of contracting the disease from the nurses and as a result the public rejected
interacting with the nurses. This further isolated the nurses subjecting them to loneliness.
Finally, family is the most important and valuable support to overcome their psychological
burden. Family members including husbands and mothers were very supportive of taking
care of the nurses’ children while they worked long hours. The Maldivian nurses in
COVID-19 facilities faced psychological adversities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The
findings from this study can help in identifying issues and experiences of nurses, in order
to implement appropriate interventions to monitor and support nurses during contagious
disease outbreaks. |
URI: | http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/15274 |
ISSN: | 2308-5959 20211231 |
Appears in Collections: | Volume 10, Number 1
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