Perceptions and effects of COVID-19 related information in Denmark and Sweden - a web-based survey about COVID-19 and social media.

AIM: Extensive COVID-19 information can generate information overload and confusion. Denmark and Sweden adopted different COVID-19 management strategies. AIM: This study aimed to compare search strategies, perceptions and effects of COVID-19 information, in general and specifically in social media, in residents in Denmark and Sweden. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Quantitative data from a sample of respondents (n = 616) from Denmark and Sweden on an international web-based survey was analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics. RESULTS: The results showed similarities between the countries regarding preferred and trusted information sources, use of (social) media, and psychosocial and behavioural effects of such information. Traditional media and social media were frequently used for COVID-19 information. Especially health authorities and researchers were trusted sources, representing the dominant medico-political discourse. There were no differences in negative effect and social behaviour. Residents in Denmark experienced significantly more positive effects than residents in Sweden. CONCLUSION: Summarily, the study showed similarities and small differences among residents in both countries related to usage patterns, perceptions and effects of COVID-19 information from (social) media, despite diverging strategies.

Limit your body area -a COVID-19 mass radicalisation challenging autonomy and basic human rights

Purpose>This paper aims to explore articulations of how individuals internalise official demands on handling COVID-19 and the function of social media in this process, and further to discuss this from a human rights’ perspective.Design/methodology/approach>A thematic analysis of qualitative data from an international survey on COVID-19 and social media. The analysis was inspired by Berger and Luckmann's theory of reality as a social construction.Findings>Articulations expressed an instant internalisation and externalisation of the officially defined “new normal”. However, negotiations of this “new normal” were articulated, whereby everyday life activities could proceed. Resistance to the “new normal” appeared, as routines and common sense understandings of everyday life were threatened. Health-care professionals were put in a paradoxical situation, living in accordance with the “new normal” outside work and legitimately deviating from it at work. The “new normal” calls for individuals’ “oughtonomy” rather than autonomy. Social media were used to push individual’s re-socialisation into the “new normal”. The latter both promoted and challenged human rights as the individual's right to self-determination extends beyond the self as it risks threatening other people's right to life.Originality/value>With the means of a theoretically based thematic analysis inspired by Berger and Luckmann, the current study shows how articulations on COVID-19 and social media can both support and challenge human rights and reality as a facticity as dictated by dominant organisations and discourses in society.

Practices and Strategies of Health Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic-Between Limitations and Opportunities.

The COVID-19 pandemic was declared as such in March 2020 [...].

Scandinavian Nurses' Use of Social Media during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Berger and Luckman Inspired Analysis of a Qualitative Interview Study.

There is a knowledge gap about nurses' use of social media in relation to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, which demands the upholding of a physical distance to other people, including patients and their relatives. The study aims to explore how nurses in the Scandinavian countries used social media for professional purposes in relation to the first 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 30 nurses in three Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) were conducted. Thematic analyses were made, methodically inspired by Braun and Clarke, and theoretically inspired by Berger and Luckmann's theory about the construction of social reality. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist was used. The results showed that social media was a socialisation tool for establishing new routines in clinical practice. Virtual meeting places supported collective understandings of a specific COVID-19 'reality' and 'knowledge' amongst nurses, with the pandemic bringing to the fore the issue of e-professionalism among nurses relating to their clinical practice. However, social media and virtual education were not commonly used in patient contacts. Further, nurses attempted a re-socialisation of the public to proper COVID-19 behaviour through social media. Moreover, blurred boundaries between acting as a private individual and a professional nurse were identified, where ethics of the nursing profession extended to nurses' private lives.

Correction to: Perceptions and effects of COVID-19 related information in Denmark and Sweden - a web-based survey about COVID-19 and social media.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s10389-021-01539-5.].

Ideal types’ strategies related to handling early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: A thematic analysis of comments from an international survey

People (re)act differently when facing the pandemic. Multiple opinions about COVID-19 and related issues prevail, both in personal meetings and in (social) media. This article aims to illuminate different ideal types and handling strategies in early stages of the pandemic. A thematic Braun and Clark, and Weber inspired analysis of qualitative data from an international web-based survey was carried out in two steps. First, five ideal types related to handling the COVID-19 pandemic were constructed: the Stickler for the rules, the Challenger, the Fact hunter, the Idealist, and the Entertainer. Second, the ideal types were represented throughout four themes: Divided opinions on politico-medico restrictions, Multifaceted picture of the pandemic, Social media as a lookout point and source of insight, and The future between hope and fear. The results illustrated the complexity of people?s understanding of, (re)actions to and handling of the pandemic.

Nurses' use of social media during the COVID-19 pandemic-A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses stand in an unknown situation while facing continuous news feeds. Social media is a ubiquitous tool to gain and share reliable knowledge and experiences regarding COVID-19. The article aims to explore how nurses use social media in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: A scoping review inspired by Arksey and O'Mally was conducted by searches in Medline, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete and Web of Sciences. Empirical research studies investigating nurses' use of social media in relation to COVID-19 were included. Exclusion criteria were: Literature reviews, articles in languages other than English, articles about E-health, and articles investigating healthcare professionals without specification of nurses included. Articles, published in January-November 2020, were included and analysed through a thematic analysis. The PRISMA-ScR checklist was used. RESULTS: Most of the eleven included studies were cross-sectional surveys, conducted in developing countries, and had neither social media nor nurses as their main focus of interest. Three themes were identified: 'Social media as a knowledge node', 'Social media functioned as profession-promoting channels' and 'Social media as a disciplinary tool'. Nurses used social media as channels to gain and share information about COVID-19, and to support each other by highlighting the need for training and changes in delivery of care and redeployment. Further, social media functioned as profession-promoting channels partly sharing heroic self-representations and acknowledgment of frontline persons in the pandemic, partly by displaying critical working conditions. Finally, nurses used social media to educate people to perform the 'right 'COVID-19' behaviours in society. CONCLUSION: This review provided snapshots of nurses' uses of social media from various regions in the world, but revealed a need for studies from further countries and continents. The study calls for further multi-methodological and in depth qualitative research, including theoretically framed studies, with a specific focus on the uses of social media among nurses during the pandemic.

Solidarity and polarisation regarding COVID-19 and related risks - A thematic analysis of comments from an international survey.

COVID-19 represents a risk to people's life and societies in their current shapes and functions, with institutionalised responses redefining everyday life. Crises in society can induce fear and tensions that can unite and divide people, inducing acts of solidarity and polarisation. The study explored articulations of solidarity and polarisation in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and related risks. A Foucault-inspired thematic analysis was pursued on qualitative data from an international survey about COVID-19 and social media. The analysis resulted in four themes illustrating articulations of solidarity and polarisation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis showed solidarity and polarisation as each other's premise and contradiction. Socialisation into a 'new normal' was characterised by the balance between solidarity and polarisation as well as aspirations to enhance future solidarity. The study illustrated that social media functioned as social technology for control and manipulation towards social normalisation. However, it was also used to voice attempts to rectify (or overthrow) the dominant medico-political discourse and norms with own preferences, opinions and a functioning daily life. In short, the articulations and social media uses could be interpreted as expressions of power and counter-power.

Psychosocial experiences of frontline nurses working in hospital-based settings during the COVID-19 pandemic - A qualitative systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Frontline nurses have been directly exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and come in close contact with patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses execute tasks related to disease control and face multiple psychosocial challenges in their frontline work, potentially affecting their mental well-being and ability to satisfyingly perform their tasks. OBJECTIVES: To explore the psychosocial experiences of frontline nurses working in hospital-based settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: The qualitative systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021259111). DATA SOURCES: Literature searches were performed through PubMed, CINAHL, and the WHO COVID-19 database. Inclusion criteria were: All types of nurses having direct contact with or taking care of patients; Primary, secondary, and tertiary health-care services admitting and treating COVID-19 patients; Experiences, perceptions, feelings, views in psychosocial aspects from the identified population group; Qualitative studies; Mixed methods studies; Language in English; Published date 2019-2021. Exclusion criteria were: Commentaries; Reviews; Discussion papers; Quantitative studies; Language other than English; Published in 2018 or earlier; Studies without an ethical approval and ethical statement. REVIEW METHODS: The studies were screened and selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality appraisal was conducted according to the Critical Appraisal Skills Program qualitative study checklist. Data was extracted from included studies and a thematic synthesis was made. RESULTS: A total of 28 studies were included in the review. The experiences of 1141 nurses from 12 countries were synthesised. Three themes were constructed: 'Nurses' emotional, mental and physical reactions to COVID-19', 'Internally and externally supported coping strategies', and 'A call for future help and support'. CONCLUSION: Nurses working frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic have experienced psychological, social, and emotional distress in coping with work demands, social relationships, and their personal life. The results pointed to a need for increased psychological and social support for frontline nurses to cope with stress and maintain mental well-being, which may subsequently affect nursing care outcomes.

Information about the COVID-19 pandemic – a thematic analysis of different ways of perceiving true and untrue information

The COVID-19 pandemic is classified as an infodemic with the circulation of vast amounts of true and untrue information, especially through social media. The study’s aim was to explore different articulations of people’s understanding, handling and evaluation of (true) information, misinformation and disinformation in general and specifically linked to social media related to the COVID-19 pandemic, to illuminate the complexity of the construction of true information. A latent thematic analysis of qualitative data from an international web-based survey on COVID-19 and social media was carried out. The analysis resulted in five themes showing participants’ understanding and assessment of what is deemed as (true) information, misinformation and disinformation. An underlying dominant medico-political discourse on COVID-19 was seen in the articulations about COVID-19. There were expressions showing that scientific knowledge and political viewpoints were met with both blind trust and scepticism, journalists’ information represented a conglomerate of truth and lies, healthcare professionals’ recognition vacillated between trusted and guessing experts, social media were an arena for all kinds of information, and the need for filtering information on COVID-19, although this was impossible as knowledge of COVID-19 was generally considered to be uncertain. What was understood as (true) information, misinformation or disinformation was dependent on the viewpoint of the information consumers and influences potentially affecting their perspectives. Social media could be used to support one’s point of view, whether in line with the dominant medico-political discourse on COVID-19 or not.