Descriptive Phenomenological Study Research Articles

Professional learning networks: a descriptive phenomenological study with primary school teachers in Greece

Purpose Professional learning networks (PLNs) involve teachers’ collaboration with others outside of their school to improve teaching and learning. PLNs can facilitate teachers’ professional growth and school improvement. This study aims to explore the drivers for participation within PLNs, the enactment process and the impact of PLN participation on teachers, students and schools in Greece. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted to explore the lived experience of primary school teachers participating in PLNs. Findings The findings showed that individuals who were open to change were driving innovation to address a need or a lack in their daily practice that was not satisfied within their usual community of practice. The key element of the participation was peer collaboration with openness of communication without attendant accountability pressures. The change was mainly identified in teacher skills and the school climate. An individual could bring change only if the school is already open to change. In some cases, resistance to change in schools was identified before enactment or during enactment. The transformation of teachers’ and leaders’ stances is discussed, enabling the opportunity to maximise school improvement. Originality/value The study examines PLNs as European Union-funded initiatives that are developed by teachers in centralised education systems under the phenomenological research paradigm. It explores the PLNs in a different setting compared to the existing conceptual theory of change for PLNs.

A descriptive phenomenological study of critically ill elderly patients’ experiences of treatment using high-flow nasal cannula after extubation

A descriptive phenomenological study of critically ill elderly patients’ experiences of treatment using high-flow nasal cannula after extubation

Providing Guidance and Counseling Services in Time of Covid-19 Pandemic: Lived Experiences of Guidance Designates

The pandemic era has directed a new facade of education from traditional to a more conducive system of virtual and modular schemes. The Guidance Designates are equally tasked to play a crucial part in this abrupt transition as the teachers. They, too, are directed to maintain relationships on top of the delivery of guidance and counseling services at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the needs of students and families and let the education roll. This descriptive phenomenological study was conducted to explore the lived experiences of public junior high school guidance designates in the delivery of guidance and counseling services during the pandemic. The participants of this study were five guidance designates in public junior high schools identified using purposive sampling who took part in the unstructured in-depth interview. The study revealed that guidance designates faced issues, struggles, and sentiments in the delivery of guidance services during the time of pandemic. They utilized various alternatives for the delivery of appropriate services to clients despite unreachable ones. Despite their feelings of boredom and loneliness, they found meaning in their chosen profession by becoming grateful for the designation, and their commitment to serving the clients ignited the passion to go on despite the odds. Their enjoyment with colleagues acts as their strong social support during the crucial times of the pandemic. Thus, these experiences honed them to be shade shifters that remained resilient and flexible in the delivery of guidance and counseling services in the pandemic era.

Lived Experiences, Emotional and Psychological Needs of Covid-19 Emergency Service Nurses: A Qualitative Study

Nurses, who play an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic, are exposed to emotional and psychological stress due to unforeseen risks. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of nurses who are at the forefront in the emergency department, where COVID-19 suspected cases are first encountered, and to analyze their emotional and psychological needs in the light of Alderfer's Existence-Relationship-Growth theory. Data were collected from 20 May to 15 June 2020 in Muğla, Türkiye. 10 nurses working in the COVID-19 emergency department constituted the study sample. The descriptive phenomenological study was planned according to the qualitative research paradigm, based on the Consolidated Qualitative Research Reporting Criteria checklist. The interviews were conducted face-to-face and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. As a result of the analysis of the data, when the psychological needs of clinical nurses were evaluated in terms of Existence-Relatedness-Growth theory, it was determined that their health and safety needs were priority and they needed respect and understanding in their relationships. The life experiences of nurses working in the emergency room, under two main themes as “patient care process experiences” and “feelings”, and their emotional and psychological needs under three themes as “need to exist”, “need to establish relationship” and “need to develop” gathered under. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was determined that the existence, relationship, and growth needs of emergency nurses were affected by each other.

Sexual experience in patients with coronary heart disease: a descriptive phenomenological study

Sex is an essential part of life and is a basic demand for human beings. Coronary heart disease can have an impact on patients’ sexual lives; however, not much attention has been paid to it in China, and few studies have been conducted on this topic. Therefore, this study used a qualitative approach to understand the sexual experience of patients after the illness, thus laying the foundation for the development of relevant measures. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 patients. Descriptive phenomenological methods were employed to collect data and explore the sexual experience of patients with coronary heart disease. A total of 4 thematic groups, 9 themes, and 23 subthemes were extracted. The four thematic groups were independent and cross-influenced. In these groups, alterations in the sexual experience, including the change in sexual physiology and psychological state, were affected by the lack of knowledge, age, disease, and other factors. Furthermore, the patient’s perception of sexuality affected the quality of sexual life after the illness. The sexual experience of patients with coronary heart disease and its influencing factors, such as age, disease factors, and lack of related knowledge, were described. The findings are expected to aid in formulating targeted and personalized intervention measures.

Lived experiences of women with spontaneous abortion at a district hospital, South Africa.

Spontaneous abortions occur in 12.5% of pregnancies and have a significant impact on the well-being of women. Dissatisfaction with health services is well-documented, but no studies have been conducted in district health services of the Western Cape. The aim was to explore the lived experiences of women presenting with spontaneous abortions to the emergency department at Helderberg Hospital. A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study used criterion-based purposive sampling to identify suitable participants. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. Atlas-ti (version 22) software assisted with data analysis using the framework method. A total of nine participants were interviewed. There were four main themes: a supportive environment, staff attitudes and behaviour, the impact of time, and sharing of information. The comfort, cleanliness and privacy of the environment were important. COVID-19 had also impacted on this. Showing interest, demonstrating empathy and being nonjudgemental were important, as well as the waiting time for definitive treatment and the time needed to assimilate and accept the diagnosis. In addition, the ability to give relevant information, explain the diagnosis and help patients share in decision-making were key issues. This study highlighted the need for a more person-centred approach and managers should focus on changes to organisational culture through training and clinical governance activities. Attention should be paid to the physical environment, availability of patient information materials and sequential coordination of care with primary care services.Contribution:This study identifies issues that can improve person-centredness and women's satisfaction with care for spontaneous abortion.

The lived experiences of operating room nurses from the surgery on COVID-19 patients: a phenomenological study

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, some patients who were transported to the operating room for emergency surgery had COVID-19; operating room nurses should be in direct contact with these patients in a small and closed space of the operating room. This can lead to unpleasant experiences for these people. Accordingly, this study was conducted to understand the experience of operating room nurses during the surgery of COVID-19 patients.MethodsThis qualitative study is a descriptive phenomenological study. Sampling was done purposefully and participants were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data of this study was obtained through semi-structured interviews with 12 participants and analyzed using the Colaizzi method.ResultsFour main themes and 13 sub-themes were presented in this study: (1) feeling heroic (being a savior, self-sacrificing). (2) Exacerbating burnout (emotional exhaustion, feeling of incompetence, physical overtiredness). (3) Psychiatric crisis (destructive anxiety, horror of death, worrying about being a carrier, drastic feeling of pity). (4) Feeling the need for support (need for professional support, need for emotional support, need for social support).ConclusionThe results of this study show that operating room nurses experienced conflicting feelings during surgery on patients with COVID-19. So the feeling of being a hero was a heartwarming experience, but the aggravation of job burnout and mental crisis was unpleasant for them. Also, these people have experienced the need to be supported in various aspects.

There is ‘no cure for caregiving’: the experience of women caring for husbands living with Parkinson’s disease

ABSTRACT Background Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The majority of the nearly 9 million people living with Parkinson’s disease are men. As such, caregiving is often assumed by wives as the disease progresses. However, there is little research about the lived experience of wives as they transition to caregivers. Objective To describe the lived experience of wife caregivers of male spouses living at home with Parkinson’s disease. Methods A descriptive phenomenological study. Semi-structured interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis in Atlas.ti using Colaizzi’s method. Results Thirteen women, aged 50 to 83 years, were interviewed. Five themes emerged from the analysis, (1) caregiver who? (2) taking it day by day, (3) not sure what to do next, (4) just too much, and (5) caring is your soul’s growth, to support the central theme “there is no cure for caregiving.” Conclusion Transitioning from wife to caregiver was a gradual but difficult process. Although the wife caregivers wanted to be part of the health care team, they remained outsiders. Clinicians need to recognize the wives as care coordinators linking medical management with home care. Policy makers need to develop reimbursement models that provide wife caregivers with support groups, education programs, and telemental health services.

Barriers to accessing social support at refugee-serving humanitarian organizations: a descriptive phenomenological study of Yemeni refugee women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Barriers to accessing social support at refugee-serving humanitarian organizations: a descriptive phenomenological study of Yemeni refugee women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Why did God let this Happen? Assessing the Spiritual Impacts of Sexual Addiction on Intimate Female Partners: A Qualitative Investigation

AbstractRecent years have seen a rise in research on sexual addiction (SA) and compulsive sexual behaviour (CSB). In the literature, these concepts describe an emerging field of study that may encompass a range of interpersonal and communal consequences for concerned individuals, their intimate partners, families, and society. Taboos surrounding SA/CSB often shroud the subject in shame and ignorance. Despite growing scholarly interest in SA/CSB, few studies have analysed intimate partners’ lived experiences in depth, and no other research has investigated the spiritual impacts of SA/CSB on intimate partners. This descriptive phenomenological study addresses this knowledge gap. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with female partners (primary participants; n = 12) and professional counsellors (supplementary participants; n = 15). The analysis reveals that following discovery/disclosure, SA/CSB may affect women via complex and multifaceted spiritual consequences. Significantly, most women did not receive validation or safety from their faith communities. Instead, many reported experiencing a range of spiritual impacts, including changes in their faith, fear of stigmatization, the perception of pastoral pressure to ‘forgive and forget’, ostracism from their faith communities, and/or a sense of anger directed towards God as the perceived silent co-conspirator who permitted the deception to continue undiscovered, sometimes over years or even decades. The study’s findings point to salient opportunities for faith communities to provide more targeted support and assistance during healing and recovery.

Mental health impact on healthcare workers from COVID-19 in Vietnam: Suggestions for a preventive program.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of healthcare workers participating in the prevention and control of the pandemic, thereby reducing their quality of life and affecting the quality of patient outcomes. This study aims to explore and deeply understand the mental health problems among healthcare workers participating in the prevention and control of COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A mixed methods study was undertaken with a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 2870 healthcare workers who have been participating in the prevention and control of COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City in 2021, followed by a qualitative descriptive phenomenological study comprised of in-depth interviews with a purposively sampled subset of 40 healthcare workers. Results showed that of the 2870 survey participants, the majority (60.6%) were female, and the average age was 35.1 (SD = 8.6). The prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression was 17.2%, 20.8%, and 17.6%, respectively. The findings from in-depth interviews revealed that the participants were under extreme mental health issues such as worries, stress, and negative emotions. The worrying was related to risk of infection, being shunned, stigmatised, or assaulted by the community. Stress was due to excessive pressure from work. Negative emotions were identified as sadness, self-pity, feelings of loneliness, entrusting fate, feelings of guilt, anxiety, confusion, obsession, disorientation, physical and mental exhaustion. Promoting mental health among healthcare workers who participated in the crisis is necessary and urgent.

Difficulties and obstacles experienced by intensive care unit nurses during the prevention and care of pressure injuries: A qualitative study

AimThis study aimed to examine the difficulties and obstacles experienced by nurses working in intensive care units during the prevention and care of pressure injuries (ulcers). Materials and methodsA descriptive phenomenological study was designed, involving 13 nurses working in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Turkey. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings were reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies criteria. ResultsThrough the data analysis, an overall theme “Prevention and Care of Pressure Injuries” and three main themes, namely “Obstacles Encountered”, “Impacts on The Nurses”, and “Needs and Recommendations” were identified. ConclusionThis study identified institution-related issues (lack of resources, managers’ attitudes, etc.), as well as lack of knowledge and training prevent the effective management of pressure injuries in intensive care units. The development of pressure injuries emotionally and professionally affects nurses. The primary needs of nurses were found to be equipment and material support, personnel training, positive attitudes of institution managers, and the establishment of a wound care unit within the hospital. The following recommendations were made based on the obtained findings: practical training should be given to all intensive care unit teams based on the latest information, modern, practical, diverse, and sufficient amount of equipment for pressure injuries should be provided, personnel shortage should be eliminated, institution managers should exhibit solution-oriented attitudes toward nurses rather than accusatory approaches, and a wound care unit should be established within the hospital. This study was limited to the nurses working in the ICU of a state hospital in Turkey. Since the study was carried out in a single hospital and due to the personal characteristics of the participants, the findings cannot be generalized to all ICU nurses and healthcare institutions.

'Only to reconcile with it'. The coping experience amongst middle-aged and older cancer survivors: A qualitative study.

Cancer threat is relevant to age, and the threat of a foreshortened life coupled with a lengthy treatment process negatively affects middle-aged and older adults. Understanding the coping throughout the cancer experience in middle-aged and older cancer survivors will help develop supportive care to promote their physiological and psychological coping effects. To explore the cancer coping experiences of middle-aged adults aged 40-59 and older adults over 60. A descriptive phenomenological study was employed. Face-to-face, in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 22 oncology patients in a tertiary university hospital aged 40 or above from August to October 2023. The interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis procedures. Five themes and 13 subthemes were formed through analysis: acceptance of cancer (considering cancer as chronic, believing in fate andattributing cancer to karma); having different information needs (desired to be truthfully informed, information-seeking behaviour, information avoidance behaviour); getting families involved (developing dependent behaviours, feeling emotional support, family members suffering worse); striving to maintain positive psychological state (positive thinking, seeking peer support) and negative experience (undesirable, low self-esteem). Our study reveals that cancer survivors' attitudes towards having cancer have changed from a death sentence to a more positive perception of a chronic disease. Supportive programmes for developing coping strategies should consider the cultural traditions and religious beliefs, different information needs, involvement of familyand promoting a positive psychological state while avoiding negative factors. Participants with experience of coping with cancer were involved in the semistructured interview.

Insights from the Field: A Phenomenological Study of Radiography Students' Computed Tomography Clinical Placement Experiences

Introduction: While there are studies that explore the overall experiences of radiography students during clinical placements, there is a lack of research specifically focusing on the experiences of students in the context of computed tomography (CT). Therefore, this study aimed to understand the experiences of radiography students during their clinical placements in CT imaging at a tertiary institution in Harare, Zimbabwe.
 Methods: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological study design employing one-on-one interviews with 15 undergraduate students was conducted. The interview data was managed in Nvivo 12, and the analysis was based on Giorgi’s structured way of analyzing phenomenological data.
 Results: The findings show that student's experience during CT clinical placements was diverse and distinct compared to their other placements. Four themes emerged from the interview data that summarised their experiences i. Nervousness ii. Limited CT clinical exposure iii. Theory to Practice Conversion, and iv. Interpersonal skills. Initially, they felt nervous, but later they found the placements to be interesting and challenging. Some students were able to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical situations. Students also had an opportunity to improve their interpersonal skills. However, students also faced challenges such as equipment breakdowns and a shortage of consumables. These affected the student's ability to acquire the necessary clinical skills within the given timeframe.
 Conclusion: Given the limitations in accessing CT practical experience, innovative strategies such as software simulation-based training, particularly virtual reality CT simulation, are suggested to enhance students' preparedness.

Implementing trauma-informed care practices in the workplace: a descriptive phenomenological study

The effects of trauma are becoming more prevalent in the clinical setting, which has helped generate conversations about being more trauma-informed and providing trauma-informed care services. The principles centered around trauma-informed care could be applied to a person’s everyday life, including the work setting with the goal of creating a more trauma-informed environment for all employees. This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study aimed to investigate what trauma-informed care principles are needed in the workplace from the employee perspective to create a more trauma-informed environment. The survey instrument used in this study was a modified version of Fallot and Harris’s (2011) consumer satisfaction survey in their published article Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care: A Self-Assessment and Planning Protocol. The instrument contained 13 questions, with each core question having an optional secondary question requesting additional details about the participants’ responses. The tool was categorized into four sections: safety, trustworthiness, choice and collaboration, and empowerment. Ninety participants accessed the survey through SurveyMonkey Audience, but four did not meet the criteria to participate and exited the study. The researcher was left with 86 completed surveys. The qualitative analytical tool Quirkos was employed to help analyze the data and generate themes. The category that produced the most themes was empowerment. Employees want to be viewed as a person rather than a resource to get the job done. Likewise, participants wanted to be valued and have their voices heard. To push this conversation forward, future researchers should conduct interviews face-to-face to produce more in-depth findings.

Barriers and facilitators of severe acute malnutrition management at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Bahir Dar, North West Ethiopia, descriptive phenomenological study.

Malnutrition is a clinical condition that affects all age groups, and it remains a major public health threat in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, this research aimed to investigate the barriers and facilitators of treating severe acute malnutrition at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Bahir Dar City, North West Ethiopia. A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted from February to April 2021. The final sample size taken was fifteen based on data saturation. In-depth and key informant interviews were conducted with nine caregivers, three healthcare workers, and three healthcare managers supported by observation. A criterion-based, heterogeneous purposive sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Each interview was audio-taped to ensure data quality. Thematic analysis was done to analyze the data using Atlas. ti version 7 software. Two major themes and six sub-themes emerged. Barriers related to severe acute malnutrition management include subthemes on socio-economic and socio-cultural conditions, perceived causes of severe acute malnutrition and its management, and the healthcare context. Facilitators of severe acute malnutrition management include severe acute malnutrition identification, service delivery, and being a member of community-based health insurance. Effective management of severe acute malnutrition was affected by a multiplicity of factors. The results reaffirm how socioeconomic and sociocultural conditions, perceived causes of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and its management and the health care context were the major barriers, while able to identifying severe acute malnutrition, service delivery, and is a member of community-based health insurance were the major facilitators for SAM management. Therefore, special attention shall be given to SAM management.

Exploring the lived experiences of women with multiple gestations in Iran: a phenomenological study

BackgroundMultiple gestations present numerous physical, psychological, social, and economic challenges for women. Understanding the problem-solving experiences of pregnant women carrying multiple can be invaluable. This study aimed to explore the experiences of Iranian women with multiple gestations.MethodsThis descriptive phenomenological study utilized purposive sampling and continued until data saturation. Data collection involved in-depth semi-structured interviews, with analysis performed using Colaizzi’s 7-step method. MAXQDA software was employed for data management.ResultsThis study involved 12 women with multiple gestations. The average age of the participants was 33.76 ± 6.22 years, and 9 were pregnant with triplets. The data were categorized into four primary themes: the paradox of emotions, the pregnancy prison, immersion in fear, and the crystallization of maternal love, encompassing 17 sub-themes.ConclusionPregnant women with multiple gestations undergo various changes and experience conflicting emotions. Enhancing their ability to adapt to and accept numerous pregnancies can be achieved through supportive, personalized, and family-centered care, along with improvements and revisions in care policies for multiple gestations.

Mental Health Nursing Student's Perception of Clinical Simulation about Patients at Risk of Suicide: A Qualitative Study.

qualitative descriptive phenomenological study through focus groups and reflective narratives in a sample of 45 students. A thematic analysis was performed using ATLAS-ti. After the analysis, three themes were obtained: (a) management and handling of emotions, (b) identification of suicide motives, and (c) intervention in suicidal crisis. Clinical simulation in mental health allows students to exercise clinical judgment reasoning, detect warning signs for a better treatment approach, and provide tools for effective intervention and management of patient care. The results of this study indicate that nursing students face challenges in approaching mental health clinical simulation due to a lack of prior exposure.

The perceived experience of adhering to vegan diet: a descriptive phenomenological study

BackgroundToday, raw vegetarianism is considered one of the most important socio-cultural developments in contemporary societies. In this regard, the present study was conducted to describe the perceived experience of people adhering to a vegan diet through a phenomenological perspective.MethodsThis qualitative study explores the perceived experiences of individuals who follow a vegan diet and are part of the self-care campaign in Kermanshah, Iran. sampling was purposeful and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 individuals who follow a vegan lifestyle. The data were analyzed after being collected using the seven steps of Collizi. MAXQUDA software (version 12) was used for data management.ResultsAfter qualitative data analysis, we identified 567 codes, which were categorized into 15 sub-themes. From these sub-themes, we derived 4 main themes. The main themes include: In pursuit of redemption (Meaningful framework, In awareness path, Unequaled Disappointment, Chronic and complex conditions), Seeking the New World (Starting with doubt and hesitation, The temptation to return, Constant criticism, Unfamiliar appearance), On the path of overcoming difficulties (Associate problems, Matching the new way, Perceived recommendations), and attaining the expected outcomes (Healthy lifestyle, Therapeutic feedback, Enhancing emotional wellbeing, Feeling of youth).ConclusionBased on the participants’ experience, despite the challenging journey, the people with a vegetarian diet experienced partial and complete improvement of all the symptoms of the diseases. They had a healthy lifestyle and felt young and energetic. Likewise, this method had a positive effect on people’s mental state and mood.

Expectations, experiences and challenges of nursing students using the virtual learning medium during the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive phenomenological study.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused several higher educational institutions to switch from traditional face-to-face to virtual learning medium. This abrupt shift came with new expectations, experiences and challenges to nursing/ midwifery students, particularly new users, and even more so when preparation, orientation, and support were lacking or ineffective. The present study therefore aimed at exploring the expectations, experiences and challenges of nursing students using the virtual learning medium during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a descriptive phenomenological design using 12 purposively sampled nursing and midwifery students from a public university in Ghana. With the aid of a semi-structured guide, individual face-to-face interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim at a later time and deductively analyzed into themes using the customer experience execution model. Participants were aged 22-36 years and involved equal number of males and females (n = 6), with majority being Christians (n = 11). Six themes were generated from the study: (1) "Initial thoughts and emotions" described participants initial reactions to the virtual educational medium during the pandemic; (2) "Expectations with the virtual medium" referred to the participants' anticipations regarding the convenience offered by the virtual medium; (3) "Experiences with the virtual medium" depicted the participants' recognition of both positive and negative encounters while using the virtual learning platform; (4) "Evaluation and recommendation" described participants' reports of meeting expectations and recommendations they made to enhance virtual learning; (5) "Challenges and limitations of the virtual medium" typically represented the obstacles encountered by nursing/ midwifery students when they embraced the virtual medium; (6) "Prospects of the virtual medium" referred to participants' views on the future of the virtual medium. The study has brought to light that the virtual education environment comes with its own expectations, experiences and challenges to students. Provision of adequate support such as orientation and simulation laboratories by higher education institutions to satisfy students' needs is necessary to enhance nursing education.