The Caring Process in Patients with Covid-19: A Grounded Theory Study.

BACKGROUND

The care process involves essential tasks of assisting, supporting, and facilitating nursing activities to meet the comprehensive needs of patients. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global infectious disease that has caused a pandemic. Nurses play a crucial role in caring for and treating patients with COVID-19. This study aims to explain the care process in patients with COVID-19.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A qualitative study using the grounded theory method was conducted from 2021 to 2022. Eleven nurses providing care to hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were purposively selected from the COVID wards of Shariati Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected through in-depth semistructured interviews and observation. Data analysis was conducted using the approach developed by Corbin and Strauss (2008).

RESULTS

The data analysis phase identified a main theme of "protection and support in the shadow of uncertainty" along with five main categories and ten subcategories. The main categories included "encountering life-threatening crisis", "maintaining safety", "improving the patient's physical health", "encouraging", and "feeling satisfied despite the burden of care".

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses aimed to improve the physical and psychological conditions of patients with COVID-19 by implementing a comprehensive care plan. The five main categories identified can be considered the primary approach to nursing care in the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, the nurses' experiences can help establish the necessary infrastructure for care and education during other potential health crises.