Experiences and Expectations of Outpatient nurses after the changed
measures for COVID-19 prevention and control:A Qualitative Study in
China
Abstract
Introduction: The novel corona-virus outbreak three years ago
has changed people’s lives, with different responses around the world.
As the largest developing country, China has taken strict prevention and
control measures against this endemic. Although it is not very
convenient, people have been used to such prevention and control
methods. In December, 2022, China changed the prevention and control
measures, a large number of patients were infected in a short period of
time. Outpatient department acted as the first line of the hospital, and
outpatient nurses acted as fighters, facing great difficulties and
psychological pressure.In-depth understanding of the real experience of
outpatient nurses after the change of COVID-19 prevention and control
measures in China will provide reference for further improving the
management level of emergency nursing. Methods: From December
2022 to January 2023, in the initial stage of the change of endemic
prevention measures, 16 outpatient nurses from the First Affiliated
Hospital of Soochow University conducted semi-structured interviews, and
analyzed the interview data by Colaizzi analysis. Results:
Based on the real experience of 16 outpatient nurses in this special
period, four themes were extracted. The themes were the
following:(1)Ethical challenges; (2)Changes in life; (3)Get experience,
normalize, and adapt to the endemic; (4)Re-understanding for work and
life. The suggestions were the following:(1)Pay more attention to the
emotional changes of the outpatient nurses, and give them psychological
support; (2)Strengthen the social support system and provide good
logistics support; (3)Improve the management system, and pay attention
to the suggestions and reflections of medical staff.
Conclusion: Through this interview, it was discovered that
outpatient nurses demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility and
mission during the process of epidemic prevention policy changes.
However, they also experienced negative psychological effects due to
inadequate understanding of the disease, heavy treatment tasks, and risk
of self-infection. Therefore, managers should optimize human resource
allocation, promptly alleviate negative emotions among outpatient
nurses, and provide them with psychological counseling services.