Artikel
Relatives’ perspectives on pandemic-related visiting restrictions in nursing homes – a qualitative interview study
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Autoren
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Claudia Dinand
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
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Rosalie Heimke
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
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Margareta Halek
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
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Ralph Möhler
- Institute for Health Services Research and Health Economics, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany
| Veröffentlicht: | 5. Juli 2021 |
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Gliederung
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Background: During the early phase of the Covid-19-pandemic, nursing homes in many countries have taken very restrictive measures to prevent and control infections, including a ban on visitors. Within a research network, the impact of these measures was investigated from the perspective of different target groups.
Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the experiences, challenges, and consequences of contact restrictions from the perspective of relatives of nursing home residents.
Design and methods: Within a qualitative approach, ten semi-structured, telephone-based interviews with relatives in four federal states in Germany (convenience sample) were conducted and analyzed using thematic framework analysis.
Results: Three main themes were identified:
- Continuous adaptation to varying information and visit management;
- Maintaining the caring role and taking responsibility at a distance;
- Coping with emotional crises and reflection.
Information and visit management was very heterogeneous and varied over time depending on the facility and the federal state. Relatives experienced feelings of exclusion and emotional stress, but also showed understanding and supported the measures implemented. Depending on the residents' illness and ability to communicate, different media were used and adapted to maintain contact. Previous experience and the relationship with the staff were decisive for trust and a positive assessment. Perceived changes in general health, motor skills and speech behavior of the person in need of care were mainly associated with the absence of external service providers.
Conclusions: Relatives remain part of the care arrangement even at a distance. They should receive more attention and easier access to information.
Conflict of interest:
- CLD confirms having no conflict of interest.
- RH confirms having no conflict of interest.
- MH confirms having no conflict of interest.
- RM confirms having no conflict of interest.
Funding: The study was self-financed and did not receive any external funding.
