The impact of the alterations in caring for COVID-19 patients on Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue in Italian nurses: a multi method study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: During COVID-19 first wave,  healthcare professionals were exposed to a major psychological pressure related to uncertainty, a lack of therapies or a vaccine and shortages of healthcare resources. They developed higher levels of Burnout and  Compassion Fatigue, and similar levels of Compassion Satisfaction. Aim is evaluating in Italian nurses Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue and impacting individual and relational variables. METHODS: A multi-methods approach was used. Qualitative data were collected through 2 focus group. Quantitative data were collected through a web survey composed by an ad hoc questionnaire developed from the focus group results, the Professional Quality of Life Scale-5 and the Resilience Scale (RS-14). RESULTS: In the qualitative phase 6 categories emerged. From the quantitative analysis the sample reported a moderate level of Compassion Satisfaction, a low level of Burnout  and a moderate level of Secondary Traumatic Stress. Compassion Satisfaction had as predictors resilience (ß = .501), followed by feeling part of the team (ß = .406) and collaboration with colleagues (ß = .386). Secondary Traumatic Stress had as predictors the impact of PPE (ß = .269), and feeling Covid-related individual sufferance (ß = .212). The only predictor of Burnout was resilience (ß = -2195). Conclusions: During COVID-19 first wave Italian nurses were exposed to a higher risk of Secondary Traumatic Stress, mainly impacted by frustration, loss of control, loss of possibility to properly care for patients, and personal threat. Relational and team support had a crucial role in sustaining Compassion Satisfaction.

The influence of media representations on citizens' perceptions towards nurses: a comparison between before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: In December 2019 in Wuhan, China, an outbreak related to a new Coronavirus (Covid-19) rapidly spread to other countries, including Italy, emerged. On 11 March 2020, the WHO declared a state of pandemic. During the ensuing health crisis, the media exposure of Italian nurses increased. The aim of this research was to investigate whether and how, during the pandemic, citizens' perceptions of nurses have changed, and if this change were related to the public image of health professionals provided by the mass media.  Method: A multi-centric quantitative exploratory study has been conducted. 2114 online questionnaires were analysed for residents of Italy, including health working but excluding the nurses themselves. The results obtained were compared with the results of the scientific literature. RESULTS: Positive perceptions on the part of the citizens towards the nurses are evident, coming to define them "heroes", while discriminatory attitudes are rare. According to the participants, the mass media have conveyed a positive image of the nurses and in relation to this, a percentage of respondents have changed their opinion favourably regarding nurses.  Conclusions: The Covid19-related health emergency has helped raise awareness of the nursing role among both citizens and other health workers, even if a lack of knowledge has been highlighted in the training and care role of nurses. The opportunity should be taken by nurses to make well-know their role, promoting public communication, in order to make their image clearer and more truthful.