Dataset Information

The roles of community health nurses for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeastern Thailand: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Community health nurses play an important role in primary health care service, especially during the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to describe the work and activities of community health nurses focusing on the care of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeastern Thailand.

Method

This was a qualitative research study. The methods, including observation, in-depth interview, secondary data, and focus group discussion, were employed to obtain data from 46 key informants. The process started from February to August 2022 in northeastern Thailand. Data were analyzed using content analysis.

Results

The results of this study were organized into 3 main themes focusing on 1) Community health nurses' role for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, which consists of 12 sub-themes; 2) Barriers of community health nurses in caring for older adults during the pandemic consisted of 2 sub-themes; and 3) Factors contributing to the success of community health nurses in managing health and providing care for older adults during the pandemic consisted of 4 sub-themes.

Conclusions

The findings showed that community health nurses had played important roles, such as educating and advocating health, providing care, promoting and empowering people in the community toward health, and giving emotional and nutritional support to older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study can be used as a guideline for policymakers and health-related agencies to develop healthcare strategies and to optimize the management of community health nurses in caring for older adults during the pandemic. COVID-19 is a major public health challenge; therefore, understanding the roles and activities of community health nurses helps improve primary care cluster development, strengthens healthcare services in community, and for everyone in the community to be ready for possible challenge of future global pandemics.

SUBMITTER: Yodsuban P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9792194 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

The roles of community health nurses for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeastern Thailand: A qualitative study.

Yodsuban Pairin P Pengpid Supa S Amornchai Ruangurai R Siripoon Prakaikeaw P Kasemsuk Weha W Buasai Nittaya N

International journal of nursing sciences 20221227 1

<h4>Objective</h4>Community health nurses play an important role in primary health care service, especially during the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to describe the work and activities of community health nurses focusing on the care of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeastern Thailand.<h4>Method</h4>This was a qualitative research study. The methods, including observation, in-depth interview, secondary data, and focus group discussion, were employed to obtain data from 46 ...[more]

PMID: 36590312

Similar Datasets

Project description:OBJECTIVE:Oral medicines are frequently modified (eg, tablets crushed) for older adults. However, these modifications can have clinical, legal and/or ethical implications. Nurses bear responsibility for medicine administration and hence, perform these modifications. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of nurses about oral medicine modification for older adults. DESIGN:A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with nurses providing care to older adults in acute and long-term care settings. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. SETTINGS:Sixteen purposively selected care settings; 4 acute-care and 12 long-term care settings were included. Nurses were recruited by convenience sampling at these sites. PARTICIPANTS:Eighteen nurses participated (83% female, 67% long-term care, 33% acute-care, median age (IQR) 38 years (32.5-52.0)). RESULTS:Three major themes: modifying-a necessary evil, nurses' role as patient advocate and modifying-we are working very much as a team and two minor themes: fractional dosing, and covert administration emerged from the data. Nurses viewed oral medicine modifications as being a routine and necessary occurrence in geriatric patient care due to limitations of available formulations and the presence of age-related challenges in drug administration. Nurses' knowledge of residents' requirements ensured that they advocate for those with individualised formulation needs, however, nurses rely on pharmacists for information about modifications. Nurses expressed a desire for supports including increased education and ward-specific, pharmacist-developed recommendations on common modifications. CONCLUSIONS:This study has provided useful insights into the views of nurses regarding oral medicine modification for older adults. The unique and varied formulation requirements of older adults must be acknowledged. Increased engagement by healthcare professionals, the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies and policy-makers is required to facilitate the development of age-appropriate formulations. In the interim, practical interventions, informed by the findings of this study, are required.

Project description:BackgroundOlder adults have been especially vulnerable to adverse effects from the COVID-19 pandemic including higher mortality and more severe disease complications. At the same time, social isolation, malnutrition and physical inactivity are serious concerns among older adults. The pandemic and associated restrictions may serve to exacerbate these issues, presenting increased risks to physical and mental health. The aims of this qualitative study were: i) to explore how community-living older people in the UK experienced the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically how it impacted their well-being and associated health behaviours; ii) to explore how older people's experiences and behaviours changed over time throughout the first wave.MethodsQualitative data were collected by conducting serial telephone interviews, with an interval of approximately three months. Participants were from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, all aged over 80 years. Discussions were audio-recorded, information related to the COVID-19 pandemic was transcribed verbatim and transcripts analysed thematically. Interviews were conducted from March to October 2020.ResultsData for twelve participants (7 men and 5 women) from a total of 35 interviews were used, comprising two or three timepoints per participant. Analysis identified five overarching themes: 1) shopping strategies and food accessibility, 2) limitations on activities and going out, 3) disruption to healthcare, 4) social and psychological repercussions, and 5) coping strategies. Findings highlight challenges associated with accessing shops, healthcare, and usual activities due to pandemic-related restrictions. Longitudinal findings showed that for some, the ongoing pandemic and related restrictions appeared to aggravate mental health issues (low mood, anxiety) over time, as well as greater feelings of isolation or loneliness, reduced activity and functional limitations; this was despite some relaxation of restrictions later on. Coping strategies used by participants included finding ways to keep busy and to do physical activity safely, maintaining social contact remotely, and having an optimistic or positive outlook, a 'do what you can' attitude.ConclusionsInterventions are likely to be needed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to support health behaviours, such as increasing physical activity, social engagement and improving mental health among community-living older adults.

Project description:ObjectiveParticipation in life situations is a critical aspect of health recognized by the World Health Organization. Guidelines to prevent spreading of COVID-19 place older adults at risk for worsening participation. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with participation during the COVID-19 pandemic among community-dwelling older adults living in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.MethodsParticipants were recruited from identified census dissemination areas in Hamilton. Participants completed surveys either by phone or online during the months of May to August 2020. Measures were organized into factors related to body functions and structures, activities, participation, as well as personal and environmental contextual factors using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with participation as measured by the Late-Life Disability Instrument's (LLDI) frequency and limitations scales.ResultsA total of 272 older adults completed the survey (78 y [SD = 7.3 y]; 70% female). Use of a walking aid, driving status, perceived mental health status, nutrition risk, and physical function explained 48.2% of the variance observed in the LLDI-frequency scale scores. Use of a walking aid, driving status, perceived mental health status, receiving health assistance, and physical function explained 38.5% of the variance observed in the LLDI-limitation scale scores.ConclusionResults highlighted factors across multiple ICF domains that are associated with participation restriction among a sample of community-dwelling older adults during the pandemic. Participation during the pandemic was greatest in those that were able to walk without needing to use a walking aid, being a licensed and current driver, perceiving good to excellent mental health, and having greater physical function.ImpactOur findings contribute to the literature on older adult participation during lockdowns, restrictions, pandemics, and/or other similar circumstances.

Dataset Information

The roles of community health nurses for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeastern Thailand: A qualitative study.

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusions

Publications

The roles of community health nurses for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeastern Thailand: A qualitative study.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets