Primary care nurses during the coronavirus disaster and their struggle: Qualitative research
Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has substantially affected the health and lives of medical professionals. However, the experiences of nurses engaged in primary care remain unclear. We explored how nurses working in primary care were psychologically and socially affected by th...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of General and Family Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/jgf2.566 |
| _version_ | 1798037263932719104 |
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| author | Junki Mizumoto Toshichika Mitsuyama Shinichiro Kumagaya Masato Eto Masashi Izumiya Shoko Horita |
| author_facet | Junki Mizumoto Toshichika Mitsuyama Shinichiro Kumagaya Masato Eto Masashi Izumiya Shoko Horita |
| author_sort | Junki Mizumoto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has substantially affected the health and lives of medical professionals. However, the experiences of nurses engaged in primary care remain unclear. We explored how nurses working in primary care were psychologically and socially affected by the COVID‐19 disaster and how they overcame the difficulties experienced. Methods We conducted a qualitative study of seven Japanese nurses working in primary care. Data collection was performed before, during, and after a workshop based on the Tojisha‐Kenkyu (user‐led research) framework to explore how the COVID‐19 disaster affected the nurses and how they coped. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Three themes emerged from the analysis: effects of the COVID‐19 disaster on nurses, nurses' newly found strength during the pandemic, and their changes and achievements through the Tojisha‐Kenkyu framework. The first theme comprised four subthemes: fear of the unknown; difficulty in adaptation; dysfunction in patient care; and defilement and oppression. The second theme involved feeling in control and professionalism. The third theme, which was based on participants' discovery of “same and different” fellowships, showed work reconstruction and self‐understanding, which alleviated their difficulties. Conclusions The effect of the pandemic on nurses working in primary care ranges from work‐related frustration to daily life issues. The Tojisha‐Kenkyu method can help nurses to alleviate difficulties. Further research should be conducted to elucidate the constant burden on primary care professionals and establish appropriate occupational and daily life support during pandemics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:24:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a23afbe7f5274b78bbece96a3e330384 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2189-7948 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T21:24:14Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of General and Family Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-a23afbe7f5274b78bbece96a3e3303842022-12-22T04:02:31ZengWileyJournal of General and Family Medicine2189-79482022-09-0123534335010.1002/jgf2.566Primary care nurses during the coronavirus disaster and their struggle: Qualitative researchJunki Mizumoto0Toshichika Mitsuyama1Shinichiro Kumagaya2Masato Eto3Masashi Izumiya4Shoko Horita5Department of Medical Education Studies, Graduate School of Medicine, International Research Center for Medical Education The University of Tokyo Tokyo JapanDepartment of Medical Education Studies, Graduate School of Medicine, International Research Center for Medical Education The University of Tokyo Tokyo JapanTojisha‐Kenkyu Department, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology The University of Tokyo Tokyo JapanDepartment of Medical Education Studies, Graduate School of Medicine, International Research Center for Medical Education The University of Tokyo Tokyo JapanDepartment of Medical Education Studies, Graduate School of Medicine, International Research Center for Medical Education The University of Tokyo Tokyo JapanDepartment of Medical Education Studies, Graduate School of Medicine, International Research Center for Medical Education The University of Tokyo Tokyo JapanAbstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has substantially affected the health and lives of medical professionals. However, the experiences of nurses engaged in primary care remain unclear. We explored how nurses working in primary care were psychologically and socially affected by the COVID‐19 disaster and how they overcame the difficulties experienced. Methods We conducted a qualitative study of seven Japanese nurses working in primary care. Data collection was performed before, during, and after a workshop based on the Tojisha‐Kenkyu (user‐led research) framework to explore how the COVID‐19 disaster affected the nurses and how they coped. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Three themes emerged from the analysis: effects of the COVID‐19 disaster on nurses, nurses' newly found strength during the pandemic, and their changes and achievements through the Tojisha‐Kenkyu framework. The first theme comprised four subthemes: fear of the unknown; difficulty in adaptation; dysfunction in patient care; and defilement and oppression. The second theme involved feeling in control and professionalism. The third theme, which was based on participants' discovery of “same and different” fellowships, showed work reconstruction and self‐understanding, which alleviated their difficulties. Conclusions The effect of the pandemic on nurses working in primary care ranges from work‐related frustration to daily life issues. The Tojisha‐Kenkyu method can help nurses to alleviate difficulties. Further research should be conducted to elucidate the constant burden on primary care professionals and establish appropriate occupational and daily life support during pandemics.https://doi.org/10.1002/jgf2.566COVID‐19family medicineoccupational stressprimary care nursingqualitative research |
| spellingShingle | Junki Mizumoto Toshichika Mitsuyama Shinichiro Kumagaya Masato Eto Masashi Izumiya Shoko Horita Primary care nurses during the coronavirus disaster and their struggle: Qualitative research Journal of General and Family Medicine COVID‐19 family medicine occupational stress primary care nursing qualitative research |
| title | Primary care nurses during the coronavirus disaster and their struggle: Qualitative research |
| title_full | Primary care nurses during the coronavirus disaster and their struggle: Qualitative research |
| title_fullStr | Primary care nurses during the coronavirus disaster and their struggle: Qualitative research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Primary care nurses during the coronavirus disaster and their struggle: Qualitative research |
| title_short | Primary care nurses during the coronavirus disaster and their struggle: Qualitative research |
| title_sort | primary care nurses during the coronavirus disaster and their struggle qualitative research |
| topic | COVID‐19 family medicine occupational stress primary care nursing qualitative research |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/jgf2.566 |
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