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Nurses’ Experiences of Care in Portuguese Nursing Homes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Focus Group Study

Author

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  • Helga Rafael Henriques

    (Department of Fundamentals of Nursing, Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Lisboa, Nursing Research, Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), 1600-190 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Tiago Nascimento

    (Nursing Administration Department, Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Lisboa, Nursing Research, Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), 1600-190 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Andreia Costa

    (Department of Community Health Nursing, Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Lisboa, Nursing Research, Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), 1600-190 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable influence on long-term care facilities, exposing the shortcomings of nursing homes in implementing recommendations by health authorities. It also emphasizes the need for a nursing management model customized to the vulnerable status of residents, organizational demands, and occupational nursing requirements. We aimed to characterize the perspectives of nurses who have experienced COVID-19 in nursing homes regarding measures implemented to avoid or manage outbreaks in that environment. An interview was conducted with a focus group following the consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative research guidelines. Data analysis was performed using WebQDA software following a thematic category orientation. Eight Portuguese nurses working in nursing homes from the country’s central area participated in this study. We identified three major significant areas for long-term care respiratory outbreak management: strategic (policy, staffing, and resources); tactical (training, organization, engagement, and supervision); and operational planning (vigilance, prevention of disease spread, and family involvement). From the participants’ view, the management of COVID-19 in nursing homes must be highly supportive and responsive, offering resources to control risks, supporting residents’ care, and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and staff members. Saturation was not reached; thus, further research is needed in this area.

Suggested Citation

  • Helga Rafael Henriques & Tiago Nascimento & Andreia Costa, 2023. "Nurses’ Experiences of Care in Portuguese Nursing Homes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Focus Group Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:16:p:6563-:d:1215609
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qiang Wang & Min Su & Min Zhang & Rongrong Li, 2021. "Integrating Digital Technologies and Public Health to Fight Covid-19 Pandemic: Key Technologies, Applications, Challenges and Outlook of Digital Healthcare," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-50, June.
    2. Peter J H Hulshof & Nikky Kortbeek & Richard J Boucherie & Erwin W Hans & Piet J M Bakker, 2012. "Taxonomic classification of planning decisions in health care: a structured review of the state of the art in OR/MS," Health Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(2), pages 129-175, December.
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