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Krewulak KD, Jaworska N, Lee L, Louis JS, Dmitrieva O, Leia MP, Doig C, Niven DJ, Parhar KKS, Rochwerg B, West A, Stelfox HT, Leigh JP, Fiest KM. Impact of restricted family presence during the COVID-19 pandemic on critically ill patients, families, and critical care clinicians: a qualitative systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:936. [PMID: 39148067 PMCID: PMC11328402 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11398-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to synthesize the qualitative evidence on the impacts of COVID-19-related restricted family presence policies from the perspective of patients, families, and healthcare professionals from neonatal (NICU), pediatric (PICU), or adult ICUs. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Databases of Reviews and Clinical Trials, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Two researchers independently reviewed titles/abstracts and full-text articles for inclusion. Thematic analysis was completed following appraising article quality and assessing confidence in the individual review findings using standardized tools. RESULTS We synthesized 54 findings from 184 studies, revealing the impacts of these policies in children and adults on: (1) Family integrated care and patient and family-centered care (e.g., disruption to breastfeeding/kangaroo care, dehumanizing of patients); (2) Patients, families, and healthcare professionals (e.g., negative mental health consequences, moral distress); (3) Support systems (e.g., loss of support from friends/families); and (4) Relationships (e.g., loss of essential bonding with infant, struggle to develop trust). Strategies to mitigate these impacts are reported. CONCLUSION This review highlights the multifaceted impacts of restricted visitation policies across distinct care settings and strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of these policies and guide the creation of compassionate family presence policies in future health crises. REGISTRATION https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=290263 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla D Krewulak
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Natalia Jaworska
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Laurie Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital Research Institute, Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, AB, Canada
| | - Julia St Louis
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Olesya Dmitrieva
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Madison P Leia
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christopher Doig
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel J Niven
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ken Kuljit S Parhar
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Bram Rochwerg
- Department of Medicine, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew West
- Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Henry T Stelfox
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jeanna Parsons Leigh
- Faculty of Health, School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Kirsten M Fiest
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Department of Community Health Sciences & O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry & Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Frontline nurses who care for patients with COVID-19 work in stressful environments, and many inevitably struggle with unanticipated ethical issues. Little is known about the unique, ethically sensitive issues that nurses faced when caring for patients with COVID-19. AIM To better understand how frontline nurses who care for patients with COVID-19 experience ethical issues towards others and themselves. METHODS Systematic review of qualitative evidence carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses on ethical literature (PRISMA-Ethics). The electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cinahl, Web of Science, Philosopher's Index, and Scopus were queried to identify candidate articles. Articles appearing from March 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022 were considered if they met the following inclusion criteria: (1) Published qualitative and mixed method studies and (2) ethical issues experienced by nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. We appraised the quality of included studies, and data analysis was guided by QUAGOL principles. FINDINGS Twenty-six studies meeting our inclusion criteria for how nurses experience ethical issues were characterised by two key themes: (1) the moral character of nurses as a willingness to respond to the vulnerability of human beings and (2) ethical issues nurses acted as barriers sometimes, impeding them from responding to requests of vulnerable human beings for dignified care. CONCLUSION Our review provides a deeper understanding of nurses' experiences of ethically sensitive issues, while also highlighting the critical need for adjustments to be made at organisational and societal levels. Ethical issues that emerged in situations where organisational and situational constraints impeded nurses' ethical responses to patients' appeals suggests that early practical support should be made available to resolve ethical issues recognised by nurses. Such support contributes to protecting and promoting not only the dignity of patients with COVID-19 but also of fellow humans in need during crisis.
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Stavropoulou A, Daniil M, Gerogianni G, Vasilopoulos G, Fasoi G, Papageorgiou D, Dafogianni C, Kelesi M. Nurses' Views on Caring for Lonely Patients During the Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. Cureus 2024; 16:e57639. [PMID: 38707112 PMCID: PMC11070056 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The implementation of safety measures in hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including family visitation restrictions, forced the family to be absent during the patient's hospitalization. Nurses were confronted with new roles and responsibilities, as caring for lonely patients was a new phenomenon that emerged during the pandemic. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to explore the nurses' views on caring for lonely patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A qualitative research method based on an inductive content analysis approach was used. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews. The sample consisted of 11 nurses who worked in COVID-19 wards and units. Content analysis was used to analyze the interview data. RESULTS The analysis of the data revealed three main themes: 1) caring for the patient and the family; 2) extending conventional care; and 3) developing supportive mechanisms for better care. Caring for lonely patients brought about changes in patients's management and care and significantly affected communication patterns as well as nurses' roles and responsibilities. Providing care beyond limits, supporting care through the utilization of new technologies, and transforming organization and care were mentioned as areas of challenge for nursing practice. Conclusions: Maintaining communication and supporting the family's involvement in patient care are considered to be equal to healing for the lonely patient. Reshaping working conditions and caring practices to meet the needs of the nurses, the patients, and their families during health crises may contribute positively to the provision of holistic care for patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Georgia Fasoi
- Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, GRC
| | | | | | - Martha Kelesi
- Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, GRC
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Rahmani F, Ranjbar F, Asghari E, Gholizadeh L. The impact of psychological distress, socio-demographic and work-related factors on coping strategies used by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. Nurs Open 2024; 11:e2053. [PMID: 38268272 PMCID: PMC10697121 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.2053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM This study aimed to determine factors associated with coping strategies used by nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS A convenience sample of 365 nurses were selected from referral hospitals for COVID-19 patients in Tabriz, Iran between February 2022 and July 2022. An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Instagram. The survey package included a modified Brief COPE scale, socio-demographic and work-related questions, and a measure of psychological distress. Multiple regression analysis examined associated factors with coping strategies in SPSS. The study adhered to the STROBE guidelines for reporting. RESULTS The mean age of participants was 31.2 (7.3) years old. Of the 365 participants, 209 (58.9%) used maladaptive coping strategies, and 214 (57.6%) reported experiencing psychological distress. Psychological distress was the strongest predictor of maladaptive coping strategies (β = 4.473, p < 0.001). Female nurses (β = 3.259, p < 0.05), nurses who were under 35 years of age (β = 3.214, p < 0.05), nurses with fewer than ten years of experience (β = 2.416, p < 0.001), those who worked in COVID-19 ICUs (β = 4.321, p < 0.001), floor nurses (β = 2.344, p < 0.001), and those who worked two or more years in COVID-19 settings (β = 3.293, p < 0.001) had higher mean scores in maladaptive coping strategies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION No patient or public contributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Rahmani
- Social Determinants of Health Research CenterTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Fatemeh Ranjbar
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Elnaz Asghari
- Department of Medical‐Surgical Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery FacultyTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Leila Gholizadeh
- Faculty of HealthUniversity of TechnologySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Cherba M, Funk L, Scott E, Salman B, Rounce A, Mackenzie C, Stajduhar K, Dujela C, Krawczyk M, Cohen SR. How initial policy responses to COVID-19 contributed to shaping dying at home preferences and care provision: key informant perspectives from Canada. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1330. [PMID: 38037107 PMCID: PMC10691158 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10340-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In response to COVID-19's first wave, provincial governments rapidly implemented several public health directives, including isolation measures and care facility visitor restrictions, which profoundly affected healthcare delivery at the end of life and dying experiences and perceptions. The objective of this study was to identify implications of early policy changes for dying at home. METHODS Analysis of interviews with 29 key informants with expertise in the policy and practice context of dying at home and care for those dying at home was conducted as part of a larger mixed-methods study on dying at home in Canada. RESULTS Initial pandemic policy responses, especially visitor restrictions and limitations to home care services, shaped dying at home in relation to three themes: (1) increasing preferences and demand for, yet constrained system ability to support dying at home; (2) reinforcing and illuminating systemic reliance on and need for family/friend caregivers and community organizations, while constraining their abilities to help people die at home; and (3) illuminating challenges in developing and implementing policy changes during a pandemic, including equity-related implications. CONCLUSION This study contributes to broader understanding of the multifaceted impacts of COVID-19 policy responses in various areas within Canadian healthcare systems. Implications for healthcare delivery and policy development include (1) recognizing the role of family/friend caregivers and community organizations in end-of-life care, (2) recognizing health inequities at the end of life, and (3) considering possible changes in future end-of-life preferences and public attitudes about dying at home and responsibility for end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Funk
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Erin Scott
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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