Wachtler C, Bergqvist M, Bastholm-Rahmner P, Gustafsson LL, Schmidt-Mende K. COVID-19 guidelines and media influenced ethical care in nursing homes.
Nurs Ethics 2024:9697330241268923. [PMID:
39177002 DOI:
10.1177/09697330241268923]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic affected nursing homes and their residents heavily. Guidelines on how to mitigate the virus's spread and ensuring safe healthcare delivery were continually evolving. Concurrently, nursing homes faced intense media scrutiny. This challenging environment severely impacted registered nurses and physicians employed within these facilities.
AIM
To understand the ethical challenges experienced by registered nurses and physicians working in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Qualitative descriptive research using thematic analysis.
PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT
Individual online interviews with four registered nurses and eight physicians clinically active at nursing homes in Sweden.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
The study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. All participants provided written consent.
RESULTS
Registered nurses and physicians working in nursing homes perceived ethical challenges stemming from early COVID-19 pandemic guidelines and media coverage. The main theme generated was 'Struggling to maintain professional and ethical standards under pressure' incorporating two subthemes: 'Guidelines developed without the profession put pressure on staff' and 'Media's biased reporting was perceived as unethical and undermined care'. Guidelines from the authorities were considered as developed without professional involvement. It made them difficult to adhere to without deviating from professional and ethical compasses. Media coverage adversely influenced relatives' perceptions, resulting in mistrust towards physicians' and registered nurses' in delivering optimal care for the residents.
CONCLUSIONS
Resilient care in nursing homes necessitates the collaborative development of guidelines involving registered nurses and physicians, particularly amidst crises. Moreover, it is vital to provide support to registered nurses navigating ethical dilemmas, especially during pandemics. Guidelines and principles for care during a crisis should be development with professional involvement, be transparent, and be available to the public, to promote neutral media coverage. Future research is crucial to enhance ethical standards and tackle challenges in this context.
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