Difficulties Associated with COVID-19 Pandemic and Visitation Restrictions for Nurses in Care for Families and How to Deal with Them

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to clarify the difficulties experienced by nurses in caring for families amid the COVID-19 pandemic and visitation restrictions, and how to deal with such difficulties.

Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted with six certified nurse specialists. Those interviews were analyzed using Mayring’s method of qualitative content analysis.

Results: Eight difficulty categories were extracted such as “difficulties in remote communication with families,” “difficulties in comprehending the relationships among family members,” “difficulties in sharing the information about the patient’s condition and family’s will between nurses and the family.” Further, they included “difficulties in proceeding with medical treatment and discharge support considering family members.” Regarding coping, nine categories were extracted such as “communicating with families efficiently in limited contact,” “being mindful of families and interacting positively with them,” and “attempting to remind patients and their families of each other.”

Conclusion: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and visitation restrictions, nurses had fewer opportunities to contact families. Therefore, they experienced difficulties in caring for patients based on their relationships with their families. They also struggled to contact and support families. To address these difficulties, nurses must devise a way to communicate remotely with families; to be mindful of families who cannot visit the hospital; and attempt to serve as a bridge between patients and families. These are the first steps toward supporting patients and families amid visitation restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.