Residents’ experiences of encounters with staff and communication in nursing homes during the Covid-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

BMC Geriatrics

Research

Katarina Hjelm¹  Elisabet Eriksson² 

[1] Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 564, 751 22, Uppsala, Sweden;Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 564, 751 22, Uppsala, Sweden;Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, 801 76, Gävle, Sweden;

关键词: Communication;    Old people;    Nursing homes;    Covid-19 pandemic;    Nursing;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12877-022-03627-x

 received in 2022-09-20, accepted in 2022-11-15,  发布年份 2022

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe Covid-19 pandemic and associated visiting restrictions have challenged communication with others for older people residing in nursing homes.AimThe aim of this study was to explore residents’ experiences of encounters and communication with staff and relatives and friends during the Covid-19 pandemic.DesignAn exploratory study with an inductive approach.MethodsSemi-structured telephone interviews with 16 Swedish nursing home residents were conducted. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis; the study reports according to the COREQ checklist.ResultsThree main categories emerged: (1) Mixed feelings and experiences of encounters with nursing staff, (2) Adapting to hampered communication and finding strategies to overcome language barriers, and (3) Facing pandemic restrictions and living an adjusted life. Nine subcategories are reported within these categories. Residents mainly reported good encounters with staff and receiving the care they needed, but unhelpful encounters were also reported. To manage communication with staff with limited Swedish language skills, residents developed several strategies. During the visiting ban, residents felt secure but also lonely. Staying connected with the outside world required residents to use the phone and handle other digital aids, such as video calls, but lack of technical skills among staff hindered frequent use of video calls.ConclusionThis study highlights how residents can feel safe in extreme situations, but increased competence, including digital literacy and language skills, among staff is required. Care providers should provide relevant information to residents and staff and employ competent staff. Findings indicate that communication plans need to include enabling communication for residents both within and outside nursing homes, taking staff language skills into consideration.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2022

【 图 表 】

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