Medical Humanities, Sasso Corbaro Foundation, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Italian Switzerland, Lugano, Switzerland.
Int J Public Health. 2024 Oct 22;69:1606583. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606583. eCollection 2024.
This study aims to understand the effectiveness and challenges of communication strategies implemented to maintain contact between nursing home (NH) residents and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, by considering the perspectives of families, healthcare professionals, and NH managers.
Using a qualitative research design, the study analyzed in-depth semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (N = 34), including family members, NH staff, and managers.
The study found that communication strategies like video calls, telephone calls, and window visits were generally appreciated and facilitated contact between residents and their families. However, challenges emerged around technical and organizational issues. Both internal and external stakeholders concurred that an increase in technological and human resources was necessary to alleviate these challenges.
The study underscores the importance of innovative and flexible communication strategies to sustain connections between NH residents and their families in crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Future readiness calls for increased investment in human and technical resources, and a commitment to understanding and addressing the diverse communication needs of NH residents.
本研究旨在从家庭、医疗保健专业人员和养老院管理人员的角度了解在 COVID-19 大流行期间实施的沟通策略在保持养老院（NH）居民与其家庭之间联系的效果和挑战。
本研究采用定性研究设计，对关键利益相关者（N=34）进行了深入的半结构化访谈，包括家庭成员、NH 工作人员和管理人员。
研究发现，视频通话、电话和窗口探视等沟通策略通常受到赞赏，并促进了居民与其家人之间的联系。然而，技术和组织方面的挑战也随之出现。内部和外部利益相关者都认为，需要增加技术和人力资源，以缓解这些挑战。
本研究强调了在 COVID-19 等危机期间，创新和灵活的沟通策略对于维持 NH 居民与其家庭之间联系的重要性。未来的准备需要增加对人力和技术资源的投资，并致力于理解和满足 NH 居民多样化的沟通需求。
