Conflict and communication gap among the critical care nurses during care of patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 overwhelmed many countries' healthcare systems causing high levels of conflict amongst frontlines nurses.

AIM

Explore the conflict level and communication gap among the critical care nurses during care of patients with COVID-19.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A descriptive exploratory design was utilized on a convenience sample of (80) nurse working at the Critical Care Units affiliated to a specialized isolation hospital in Ismailia City, Egypt, from May to July 2020 using self-administered questionnaire to assess types of conflicts and Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II to assess staff nurses' conflict resolution strategies.

RESULTS

All the critical care nurses experienced conflict with significance level in female, due to recurrent contact with infected patients and fear of infection for themselves and their loved ones.

CONCLUSION

Around half of nurses (42.5%) had moderate conflict level, and collaborating was the most common used conflict resolution strategy

RECOMMENDATIONS

Training in conflict resolution strategies during outbreaking terrorism as COVID- 19.