Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing (대한간호학회지)

Korean Society of Nursing Science (한국간호과학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

An Exploratory Study on Non-Contact Nursing Experiences of Clinical Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 대유행 기간 중 임상 간호사의 비대면 간호 경험에 관한 탐색적 연구

  • Byun, Hye Min (College of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Yun, Eun Kyoung (College of Nursing Science.East-West Nursing Research Institute, Kyung Hee University)
  • 변혜민 (경희대학교 간호과학대학) ;
  • 윤은경 (경희대학교 간호과학대학.동서간호학연구소)
  • Received : 2024.04.02
  • Accepted : 2024.06.17
  • Published : 2024.08.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the non-contact nursing experiences of clinical nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative research design applying thematic analysis was used. The participants were purposive sampled from three institutes: a tertiary hospital, a general hospital, and a residential treatment center in Seoul. Data were collected between December 2021 and January 2022 through individual in-depth interviews with 12 clinical nurses. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's method to identify the meaning of the participants' experiences. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fields where the participants performed non-contact nursing included intensive care units and isolation wards of hospitals, a residential treatment center, and home cares. Their tasks in non-contact nursing commonly involved remote monitoring using digital devices or equipment, consultation and education. From their experiences performing tasks in these fields, the four theme clusters and nine themes were derived. The four theme clusters are as follows: (1) Confusion of nursing role; (2) Conflict due to insufficient support system; (3) Concern about the quality of nursing; (4) Reflection on the establishment of nursing professionalism. Conclusion: This study highlights the necessity for institutionalizing professional nursing areas, nursing education, and practical support by clarifying the purpose and goals of non-contact nursing and developing nursing knowledge through frameworks.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (No. 2021R1F1A106318512) and the Government-wide R&D fund project for infectious disease research, Republic of Korea (No. HG22C0051).

References

  1. Andrews E, Berghofer K, Long J, Prescott A, Caboral-Stevens M. Satisfaction with the use of telehealth during COVID-19: An integrative review. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances. 2020;2:100008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2020.100008 
  2. Heo H, Lee K, Jung E, Lee H. Developing the first telenursing service for COVID-19 patients: The experience of South Korea. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(13):6885. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136885 
  3. Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH). Seoul National University Hospital introduces 'online face-to-face consultation platform' [Internet]. SNUH; c2021 [cited 2023 Sep 12]. Available from: http://www.snuh.org/m/board/B003/view. do?bbs_no=5683. 
  4. Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOSF). Korean new deal comprehensive plan [Internet]. MOSF; c2020 [cited 2023 Sep 12]. Available from: https://www.moef.go.kr/nw/nes/detail-NesDtaView.do?searchBbsId=MOSFBBS_000000000028&-searchNttId=MOSF_000000000040637&menuNo=4010100. 
  5. Kim JY. Virtual health in Korea and abroad: Ushering in the next frontier of healthcare. Korean Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning; 2020 Jul. Report No. : 2020-10. 
  6. World Health Organization (WHO). Consolidated telemedicine implementation guide [Internet]. WHO; c2020 [cited 2023 Sep 12]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240059184. 
  7. Ministry of Government Legislation (MOLEG). Medical service act [Internet]. MOLEG; c2023 [cited 2023 Sep 12]. Available from: https://www.law.go.kr/%EB%B2%95%EB%A0%B9/%EC%9D%98%EB%A3%8C%EB%B2%95/%EC%A0%9C34%EC%A1%B0. 
  8. Baek KH. A study on the amendment direction of legislation on telemedicine in the post Corona era. Legislation. 2020;691:153-184. https://doi.org/10.23028/moleg.2020.691..004 
  9. Olayiwola JN, Magana C, Harmon A, Nair S, Esposito E, Harsh C, et al. Telehealth as a bright spot of the COVID-19 pandemic: Recommendations from the virtual front-lines ("Frontweb"). JMIR Public Health and Surveillance. 2020;6(2):e19045. https://doi.org/10.2196/19045. 
  10. Schwamm LH, Estrada J, Erskine A, Licurse A. Virtual care: New models of caring for our patients and workforce. The Lancet Digital Health. 2020;2(6):e282-e285. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(20)30104-7 
  11. Schwamm LH, Erskine A, Licurse A. A digital embrace to blunt the curve of COVID19 pandemic. NPJ Digital Medicine. 2020;3(1):64. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-020-0279-6 
  12. Barbosa SFF, Abbott P, Dal Sasso GTM. Nursing in the digital health era. Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. 2021;53(1):5-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12620 
  13. Oh EG. Perspectives on nursing profession for a post-COVID-19 new normal. Korean Journal of Adult Nursing. 2020;32(3):221-222. https://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2020.32.3.221 
  14. Kraus S, Schiavone F, Pluzhnikova A, Invernizzi AC. Digital transformation in healthcare: Analyzing the current state-of-research. Journal of Business Research. 2021;123:557-567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.10.030 
  15. Gregory DD. Virtual nursing: A new care delivery model. Health Environments Research & Design Journal. 2024; 17(1):30-33. https://doi.org/10.1177/19375867231212671 
  16. Russell MB. A hybrid virtual nurse model. Nursing Management. 2023;54(2):42-49. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NUMA.0000918212.05937.de 
  17. Klingensmith L, Knodel L. Mercy virtual nursing: An innovative care delivery model. Nurse Leader. 2016;14(4):275-279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2016.05.011 
  18. Boston-Fleischhauer C. The explosion of virtual nursing care. The Journal of Nursing Administration. 2017;47(2):85-87. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000444 
  19. Oh H, Lee NK. A phenomenological study of the lived experience of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in Korea. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 2021;51(5):561- 572. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.21112 
  20. Noh EY, Chai YJ, Kim HJ, Kim E, Park YH. Nurses' experience with caring for COVID-19 patients in a negative pressure room amid the pandemic situation. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 2021;51(5):585-596. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.21148 
  21. Kiger ME, Varpio L. Thematic analysis of qualitative data: AMEE Guide No. 131. Medical Teacher. 2020;42(8):846-854. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2020.1755030 
  22. Vaismoradi M, Turunen H, Bondas T. Content analysis and thematic analysis: Implications for conducting a qualitative descriptive study. Nursing & Health Sciences. 2013;15(3):398-405. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12048 
  23. Braun V. Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 2006;3(2):77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa 
  24. Guba EG, Lincoln YS. Fourth generation evaluation. Sage Publications; 1989. p. 184-251.
  25. Lattie EG, Burgess E, Mohr DC, Reddy M. Care managers and role ambiguity: The challenges of supporting the mental health needs of patients with chronic conditions. Computer Supported Cooperative Work. 2021;30(1):1-34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10606-020-09391-z
  26. Cengiz A, Yoder LH, Danesh V. A concept analysis of role ambiguity experienced by hospital nurses providing bedside nursing care. Nursing & Health Sciences. 2021;23(4):807-817. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12888 
  27. Schuelke S, Aurit S, Connot N, Denney S. Virtual nursing: The new reality in quality care. Nursing Administration Quarterly. 2019;43(4):322-328. https://doi.org/10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000376 
  28. Kim JY, Lee KI. Advantages and necessities of telehealth care service. The Korean Journal of Medicine. 2020;95(4):217-227. https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2020.95.4.217 
  29. Cho IH, Cho JS. Difference between uncertainty and ambiguity in organizational communication. Journal of Communication Research. 2012;49(1):220-258. https://doi.org/10.22174/jcr.2012.49.1.220 
  30. Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI). A survey on the demand and perception of digital healthcare: For medical personnel [Internet]. KHIDI; c2021 [cited 2023 Oct 05]. Available from: https://www.khidi.or.kr/board/view?pageNum=1&rowCnt=10&no1=17&linkId=48862711&menuId=MENU01618&maxIndex-=00489073799998&minIndex=00001992599998&schType=0&schText=&schStartDate=&schEndDate=&board-Style=&categoryId=&continent=&country=. 
  31. van Houwelingen CT, Moerman AH, Ettema RG, Kort HS, Ten Cate O. Competencies required for nursing telehealth activities: A Delphi-study. Nurse Education Today. 2016;39:50-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2015.12.025 
  32. Booth RG, Strudwick G, McBride S, O'Connor S, Lopez ALS. How the nursing profession should adapt for a digital future. British Medical Journal. 2021;373:n1190. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1190 
  33. Wahlberg AC, Bjorkman A. Expert in nursing care but sometimes disrespected-Telenurses' reflections on their work environment and nursing care. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 2018;27(21-22):4203-4211. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14622 
  34. De Leeuw JA, Woltjer H, Kool RB. Identification of factors influencing the adoption of health information technology by nurses who are digitally lagging: In-depth interview study. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2020;22(8):e15630. https://doi.org/10.2196/15630 
  35. Nittari G, Khuman R, Baldoni S, Pallotta G, Battineni G, Sirignano A, et al. Telemedicine practice: Review of the current ethical and legal challenges. Telemedicine and e-Health. 2020;26(12)1427-1437. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2019.0158 
  36. Gajarawala SN, Pelkowski JN. Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. 202;17(2):218-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013 
  37. Bhavnani SP, Sitapati AM. Virtual care 2.0-A vision for the future of data-driven technology-enabled healthcare. Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine. 2019; 21(5):21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-019-0727-2 
  38. Flott K, Maguire J, Phillips N. Digital safety: The next frontier for patient safety. Future Healthcare Journal. 2021;8(3): e598-e601. https://doi.org/10.7861/fhj.2021-0152 
  39. Kemp J, Zhang T, Inglis F, Wiljer D, Sockalingam S, Crawford A, et al. Delivery of compassionate mental health care in a digital technology-driven age: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2020;22(3):e16263. https://doi.org/10.2196/16263 
  40. Fernandes LG, Devan H, Fioratti I, Kamper SJ, Williams CM, Saragiotto BT. At my own pace, space, and place: A systematic review of qualitative studies of enablers and barriers to telehealth interventions for people with chronic pain. Pain. 2022;163(2):e165-e181. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002364 
  41. Iqbal MP, Newman B, Ellis LA, Mears S, Harrison R. Characterising consumer engagement in virtual models of care: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. Patient Education and Counseling. 2023;115:107922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2023.107922 
  42. Groom LL, Brody AA, Squires AP. Defining telepresence as experienced in telehealth encounters: A dimensional analysis. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 2021;53(6):709-717. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12684 
  43. Shaw J, Brewer LC, Veinot T. Recommendations for health equity and virtual care arising from the COVID-19 pandemic: Narrative review. JMIR Formative Research. 2021;5(4):e23233. https://doi.org/10.2196/23233 
  44. Nagel DA, Penner JL. Conceptualizing telehealth in nursing practice: Advancing a conceptual model to fill a virtual gap. Journal of Holistic Nursing. 2016;34(1):91-104. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010115580236 
  45. Han J, Koo J. Digital transformation strategy for digital-based growth. Korea Development Institute; 2021 Dec. Report No.: 2021-07. 
  46. Troncoso EL, Breads J. Best of both worlds: Digital health and nursing together for healthier communities. International Nursing Review. 2021;68(4):504-511. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12685 
  47. Carroll K. Transforming the art of nursing: Telehealth technologies. Nursing Science Quarterly. 2018;31(3):230-232. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318418774930 
  48. Fronczek AE. Nursing theory in virtual care. Nursing Science Quarterly. 2019;32(1):35-38. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318418807926