The Challenges Experienced by ICU Nurses in Kuwait during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, with intensive care unit (ICU) nurses at the forefront of patient care. To date, there is limited evidence into ICU nurses'experiences of the pandemic in Kuwait.

Research question/aims/objectives: To elucidate the challenges faced by ICU nurses in Kuwait during the pandemic, by considering two research questions: "What contributed to intensified pressure for the ICU nurses?" and "How were the nurses affected?".

Research design: This was a qualitative study which utilised semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted between January 2021 and June 2022 with ICU nurses who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analysed using Charmaz's grounded theory methodology.

Participants and research context: 25 nurses from three ICUs in Kuwait.

Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the University Ethics Committee and by the Ministry of Health in Kuwait.

Findings/results: The analysis identified two themes (the factors contributing to intensified pressure in the ICU, and the impact on the nurses) and seven sub-themes. The pressure in the ICU intensified due to the rise in the number of patients, staff shortages, and the requirement to adhere to unrealistic new procedures for infection control. Restricted and cancelled leave, as well as impaired autonomy at work, impeded the nurses' ability to recover from stress. The heightened stress also contributed to a worsening in interpersonal relationships between the nurses and their colleagues. The nurses' care was compromised by these challenges, leading to moral distress and a range of mental health symptoms (e.g., stress, anxiety, emotional exhaustion).

Conclusions: The study accords with other research conducted during the pandemic in revealing a significant mental health toll among healthcare workers during the pandemic. The stressors were similar to those which have been reported in other studies, although there were also context-specific effects relating to the environment of the ICU and the Kuwaiti context.

Keywords: COVID-19; Critical care nursing; Grounded theory; ICU nurses; Intensive care; Moral distress; Nursing ethics; Pandemic; Qualitative research.