Nursing as a Sustainability Factor of the Health System during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

María Jesús Rojas-Ocaña, Miriam Araujo-Hernández, Rocío Romero-Castillo, Silvia San Román-Mata and E. Begoña García-Navarro
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María Jesús Rojas-Ocaña: Nursing Department, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
Miriam Araujo-Hernández: Nursing Department, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
Rocío Romero-Castillo: Nursing Department, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain
Silvia San Román-Mata: Nursing Department, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
E. Begoña García-Navarro: Nursing Department, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 19, 1-15

Abstract: Earlier this year, Spain took center stage in the emerging health crisis due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. On 14 March 2020, a state of alarm was declared to manage this health crisis. The contribution of nursing professionals to sustainability of the system during this health crisis has been vital, not only in specialized care but, in a more understated way, in primary care. The objective of the present study was to describe the perceptions and lived experiences of primary care nurses during the COVID-19 health emergency. A qualitative study taking a phenomenological approach was carried out, triangulating data collected through non-participant observations, eight in-depth interviews, and two discussion groups with community nurses and case managers. A total sample of 20 key informants was obtained during the month of May, 2020. The key informants expressed strong positive perceptions of the recognition received from service users and satisfaction when acknowledging that they have been an important source of emotional support. Informants identify the importance of their work in sustaining the system, particularly outlining team cohesion and communication, whilst also evaluating the empowering position in which service users and society itself has put them.

Keywords: nursing identity; Covid-19; health system; sustainability; pandemic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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