Work

A qualitative study of psychological stress among China’s frontline nurses fighting COVID-19

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives To understand the mental health status of frontline nurses who were in direct contact with patients with confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their tolerance for work duration and work intensity during the COVID epidemic, to identify the greatest source of stress, and to provide a scientific basis for targeted psychological interventions performed by clinical nursing managers to improve nurses' mental health. Methods Using a purposive sampling method, a semistructured interview was conducted with 50 nurses working in the COVID ward, observation ward, and fever clinic of a COVID-19 designated treatment hospital in Hefei City. The interview data were sorted and analyzed using the Colaizzi phenomenological research method. Results The frontline nurses felt stress, anxiety and loneliness, interpersonal distress, and psychological needs and had certain expectations regarding work duration and work intensity. Conclusion Nursing managers should pay attention to the psychological needs of frontline nurses caring for COVID-19 patients, provide targeted intervention measures and make timely adjustments, and create a psychological stress response model for these nurses.

Source: Archives of Medical Science

DOI: 10.5114/aoms/151141