PSYCHIATRIC CARE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Authors : Buket Şimşek Arslan, Sibel Çaynak, Ahmet Göktaş, Ilkay Keser, Kadriye Buldukoğlu

Pages : 240-253

View : 51 | Download : 55

Publication Date : 2023-12-19

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :IIntroduction: There have been changes in the delivery of nursing care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatric care has also been affected by these changes. Objective: This study was conducted to examine the thoughts and experiences of nurses regarding the psychiatric care they provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: One of the qualitative research methods, the case study method, has been utilized in this study. Research sampling consisted of 11 volunteer nurses working in psychiatric settings within the center of Antalya, Turkey. Research data were obtained via Personal Information Form and Semi-structured Interview Form designed to hold personal in-depth interviews. The descriptive analysis method was employed in the analysis of qualitative data. Results: 90.9% of the participants were female and their mean age was 42.09. Six main themes and 18 subthemes were identified concerning the psychiatric care provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings showed that pandemic conditions negatively impacted psychiatric care. Group activities in psychiatric care decreased, the need for individual training and follow-up of COVID-19 symptoms increased, and nurses had difficulty in their caregiver roles. Although the care burden of nurses increased, the number of staff working in psychiatric settings decreased. Conclusion: Due to the pandemic conditions, the regulations made in the psychiatric setting (mask, distance and hygiene rules, use of protective equipment, training, etc.) adversely affect the quality of psychiatric care. To assure the continuity of psychiatric care during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is suggested to enhance the motivation of nurses, reconstruct the activities in accordance with pandemic conditions, rehabilitate the physical conditions of the institutions, and increase the time spent with the patients.
Keywords : Psikiyatrik bakım, psikiyatri hemşireliği, psikiyatri kliniği, COVID 19 pandemisi, nitel çalışma