Xi Omicron, Professor of Primary Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Xi Omicron, Lecturer, School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
J Nurs Scholarsh. 2020 Sep;52(5):553-563. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12589. Epub 2020 Jul 31.
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an international health crisis of a scope not seen in our lifetime. While much attention has been paid to health workers in critical care and acute areas, nurses working outside of hospitals are also significantly affected. This study sought to investigate the experience of nurses working in Australian primary healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, it sought to understand the implications on their employment status, role, and access to personal protective equipment.
Nurses employed in primary healthcare across Australia were invited to participate in a cross-sectional online survey through social media and professional organizations. The survey tool was composed of demographics, and of questions about the nurses' employment, work role, and access to personal protective equipment.
Of the 637 responses received, nearly half (43.7%) reported a decrease in hours and threatened or actual loss of employment. While most respondents felt that they had sufficient knowledge about COVID-19, they expressed concern about work-related risks to themselves and their family. Most respondents described never or only sometimes having sufficient personal protective equipment in their workplace. Just over half of respondents (54.8%) felt well supported by their employer. A third of respondents (34%) perceived that care provided in their workplace was significantly or slightly worse than before the pandemic.
This is the first study of primary healthcare nurses' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study findings highlighted a concerning level of insecurity around primary healthcare nursing employment, as well as issues with the availability of personal protective equipment for these nurses. The perception that the pandemic has resulted in reduced quality of care needs further exploration to ensure that those with chronic conditions are supported to maintain and promote health.
Understanding the implications of COVID-19 on the primary healthcare nursing workforce is vital to ensure staff retention and care quality. Ensuring that the community remains healthy and supported at home is vital to both reduce the burden on the health system and reduce secondary mortality.
COVID-19 大流行是我们有生以来从未见过的国际卫生危机。虽然人们对重症监护和急性治疗领域的卫生工作者给予了高度关注，但在医院外工作的护士也受到了重大影响。本研究旨在调查澳大利亚初级保健护士在 COVID-19 大流行期间的经历。特别是，它试图了解对他们的就业状况、角色和获得个人防护设备的影响。
邀请澳大利亚各地初级保健机构的护士通过社交媒体和专业组织参与横断面在线调查。调查工具包括人口统计学资料，以及有关护士就业、工作角色和获得个人防护设备的问题。
在收到的 637 份回复中，近一半（43.7%）报告工作时间减少，就业受到威胁或实际失业。虽然大多数受访者认为他们对 COVID-19 有足够的了解，但他们对自身和家人的工作相关风险表示担忧。大多数受访者表示，他们在工作场所从未或只有偶尔有足够的个人防护设备。略多于一半的受访者（54.8%）感到得到了雇主的良好支持。三分之一的受访者（34%）认为他们工作场所提供的护理比大流行前明显或略有下降。
这是第一项关于 COVID-19 大流行期间初级保健护士经历的研究。研究结果突出表明，初级保健护士就业的不安全性令人担忧，而且这些护士的个人防护设备供应也存在问题。认为大流行导致护理质量下降的看法需要进一步探讨，以确保那些患有慢性病的人得到支持，以维持和促进健康。
了解 COVID-19 对初级保健护理人员队伍的影响对于确保员工留任和护理质量至关重要。确保社区在家中保持健康和得到支持对于减轻卫生系统负担和降低二次死亡率至关重要。
