CARE PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES DURING ACUTE AND CHRONIC PANDEMIC PERIOD

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the challenges experienced by Public Health Nurses (PHN) in delivering care to society during the acute and chronic periods of the pandemic and different care application methods. Method: This qualitative and descriptive study was conducted between January and February 2022. Phenomenological approach was used as a qualitative research method. The sample of the study consisted of 21 public health nurses working in family health centers. Data were obtained with a semi-structured interview form and descriptive information form containing sociodemographic characteristics. The interviews were recorded. Malterud's analysis method used in qualitative data analysis. Results: Four main themes were identified as "psychosocial situation, measures/precautions, difficulties, and solution methods" regarding care practices and challenges experienced by PHN during acute and chronic periods of a pandemic. Thirteen sub-themes under these main themes were differentiated according to acute and chronic periods. The mean age, and duration of working of PHNs participating in the study was 37.8 and 16.3 years, respectively. Conclusion: PHNs were negatively affected psychologically due to prejudices, fears, and uncertainty during the acute period of the pandemic, and in the chronic period, they faced aggressive, impatient, and anti-vax attitudes of the public. While during the acute period, telephone monitoring, telemedicine management, and difficulties in persuading the public were at the forefront of care practices, education, guidance, and counseling services for long-term health problems of people became a priority in the chronic period.