Navigating crisis, navigating ICTs: A study of Indian migrant workers during the pandemic

In this note, we present the preliminary findings from a qualitative interview-based study among migrant workers in India who went through much hardship in the wake of one of most strict pandemic-induced lockdown in 2020. Through this study, we narrate the four ways in which digital technologies enabled the relief and crisis mitigation efforts targeted to migrant workers and how that in turn shaped the workers' experience of the crisis and associated relief efforts. We argue that more flexible use of familiar digital tools and channels, collaboration across state and non-state actors and assistance from human intermediaries in navigating ICTs make for more effective and inclusive relief measures. © 2022 ACM.

Nursing home staff perceptions of well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

AIMS: To explore how nursing home staff perceived their work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic and how this impacted their well-being. DESIGN: A qualitative interview study. METHODS: Interviews were held with twenty-two registered nurses and assistant nurses from five nursing homes in the Netherlands between April 2021 and July 2021. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) were followed. RESULTS: Five themes emerged from the interviews and indicated that working during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted perceived well-being of nursing home staff. Three themes concerned experiences at work: eroding care, additional roles and workplace support. Specifically, the increased workload with additional tasks, the constant stream of new guidelines and constrictive personal protective equipment caused discomfort and anxiety. Two other themes concerned experiences outside of work: work-life interference and social interactions and status. The nurses reported that when they returned home after work, they were tired and worried about spreading the virus while facing limited social interactions and support. CONCLUSION: The social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted nursing home staff well-being by increasing demands in the absence of adequate resources. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: The well-being needs of nurses should receive continued attention to ensure the sustainability of healthcare during future crises. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The nursing home managers participated in recommending the topics to be covered during interviews. IMPACT: What problem did the study address? The pressure of stressful working conditions on the well-being of nurses during the pandemic. What were the main findings? Nurses created strategies to cope with declining well-being. However, the available resources did not alleviate the increased demands caused by the pandemic. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? This study is important for healthcare organizations to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affected nurses so that they may better prepare for future crises.

Citizenship in times of crisis: biosocial state-citizen relations during COVID-19 in Austria.

Drawing upon 152 in-depth qualitative interviews with residents in Austria carried out in the first year of the pandemic, this article discusses how people's experiences with COVID-19 policies reflect and reshape state-citizen relations. Coinciding with a significant government crisis, the first year of COVID-19 in Austria saw pandemic measures justified with reference to a biological, often medical understanding of health that framed disease prevention in terms of transmission reduction, often with reference to metrics such as hospitalisation rates, etc. Instead of using this biomedical frame, our interviewees, however, drew attention to biopsychosocial dimensions of the crisis and problematised the entanglements between economy and health. We call this the emergence of a biosocial notion of citizenship that is attentive to psychological, social and economic dimensions of health. Insights into the biosocial nature of pandemic citizenship open a window of opportunity for addressing long-standing social injustices.

Same but different? A qualitative analysis of the influence of COVID-19 on law enforcement and organized crime in Germany.

Criminological research on COVID-19 and its repercussions on crimes, criminals and law enforcement agencies is still in its infancy. This paper fills that void with regard to the influence of COVID-19 on organized crime and the work of law enforcement agencies' investigations of organized crime in Germany by presenting empirical findings from a nationwide qualitative interview study. Through the methodological combination of Grounded Theory and Situational Analysis, we find three central narratives (us vs. them, nationalization vs. internationalization, conservatism vs. innovation) that were provided by law enforcement personnel in terms of the way in which COVID-19 influenced both organized crime groups and their work in the investigation thereof. Following a reflexive approach, the implications of COVID-19 on the research process itself are also discussed.

Covid-19, inequality and (paid) work-On the relevance of social class in the pandemic

This paper links the research on the impact of the Corona pandemic to the debate on the relevance of social class. Using a class analytic approach (Oesch-16) and based on a mixed-methods design with an employee survey and qualitative interviews from the early phase of the pandemic, the impact of Covid-19 on the world of work is examined in five thematic areas: Infection risks at the workplace, economic burdens, mobile working, working conditions, and reconciliation of paid work and child care. The results reveal pronounced vertical and horizontal class inequalities in the sphere of paid work, which partially also spill into the sphere of unpaid care work, and which are also present in the everyday experiences of many working people. The results highlight the importance of class for work experience in the pandemic, but also point to limitations of the explanatory power of class analytic perspectives in the sphere of care work. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (German) Der Beitrag verbindet die Forschung zu den Auswirkungen der Corona-Pandemie mit der Debatte uber die Relevanz sozialer Klasse. Mit einem klassenanalytischen Zugang (Oesch-16) und auf der Basis eines Mixed-Methods-Designs mit Erwerbstatigensurvey und qualitativen Interviews aus der Fruhphase der Pandemie werden die Auswirkungen von Covid-19 auf die Arbeitswelt in funf Themenfeldern untersucht: Infektionsrisiken am Arbeitsplatz, wirtschaftliche Lasten, mobiles Arbeiten, Arbeitsbedingungen sowie Vereinbarkeit von Erwerbsarbeit und Kinderbetreuung. Dabei zeigen sich im Bereich der Erwerbsarbeit ausgepragte vertikale und horizontale Klassenungleichheiten, die punktuell auch auf die Schnittstelle zur unbezahlten Sorgearbeit ausstrahlen und die zudem in den Alltagserfahrungen vieler Erwerbstatiger prasent sind. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen die Bedeutung der Klassenlage fur das Arbeitserleben in der Pandemie, verweisen jedoch auch auf Grenzen der Erklarungskraft klassenanalytischer Perspektiven. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Using Mobile Data for Understanding Population Movement and Disease Transmission during Covid-19 Outbreak in the Nordics

This study investigates the use of mobile data to understand patterns of population movements and disease transmission during the Covid-19 outbreak. It also focuses on understanding the implications of using this data for individual privacy. Using a mixed methods approach, we present 10 rich qualitative interviews and 412 survey responses from participants across the Nordics. Our novel results show that the use of mobile data can be characterized by two main categories: validation data and complementary data. We also identify five implications for practice: sharing resources and expertise between health agencies and telecom companies;extended collaboration with multiple network operators;cross-disciplinary collaboration among multiple parties;developing data and privacy guidelines;and developing novel methods and tools to address the trade-off between maintaining individual privacy and obtaining detailed information from mobile data. These implications may inform immediate and future actions to prepare for, mitigate, and control the spread of infectious diseases using mobile data. They also show privacy-driven limitations of mobile data in terms of data accuracy, richness, and scope. © 2022 IEEE Computer Society. All rights reserved.

Remote interpreting in Spain after the irruption of COVID-19: A mapping exercise

Remote interpreting, particularly telephone interpreting, was implemented in Spain less than 20 years ago and, since then, it has become increasingly common. Its use has even increased during the last months, due to COVID-19 circumstances and the subsequent growth of telecommuting. This paper aims at mapping remote interpreting services in Spain. With that purpose, structured qualitative interviews were conducted with representatives of the six main Spanish companies offering these services. The results show a diffusion of telephone interpreting across the country and an incipient presence of video-link interpreting. Nevertheless, more attention to quality performance and working conditions should be paid. © 2022 Universidad de Cordoba,Servicio de Publicaciones. All rights reserved.

Describing current use, barriers, and facilitators of patient portal messaging for research recruitment: Perspectives from study teams and patients at one institution.

Introduction: The electronic health record (EHR) and patient portal are used increasingly for clinical research, including patient portal recruitment messaging (PPRM). Use of PPRM has grown rapidly; however, best practices are still developing. In this study, we examined the use of PPRM at our institution and conducted qualitative interviews among study teams and patients to understand experiences and preferences for PPRM. Methods: We identified study teams that sent PPRMs and patients that received PPRMs in a 60-day period. We characterized these studies and patients, in addition to the patients' interactions with the PPRMs (e.g., viewed, responded). From these groups, we recruited study team members and patients for semi-structured interviews. A pragmatic qualitative inquiry framework was used by interviewers. Interviews were audio-recorded and analyzed using a rapid qualitative analysis exploratory approach. Results: Across ten studies, 35,037 PPRMs were sent, 33% were viewed, and 17% were responded to. Interaction rates varied across demographic groups. Six study team members completed interviews and described PPRM as an efficient and helpful recruitment method. Twenty-eight patients completed interviews. They were supportive of receiving PPRMs, particularly when the PPRM was relevant to their health. Patients indicated that providing more information in the PPRM would be helpful, in addition to options to set personalized preferences. Conclusions: PPRM is an efficient recruitment method for study teams and is acceptable to patients. Engagement with PPRMs varies across demographic groups, which should be considered during recruitment planning. Additional research is needed to evaluate and implement recommended changes by study teams and patients.

Access to tablet injectable opioid agonist therapy in rural and smaller urban settings in British Columbia, Canada: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Rural and smaller urban settings in Canada are disproportionately impacted by the overdose crisis, highlighting the need for novel public health interventions within these jurisdictions. Tablet injectable opioid agonist therapy (TiOAT) programs have been implemented in select rural communities as a means to address drug-related harms. However, little is known about the accessibility of these novel programs. Therefore, we conducted this study to understand the rural context and factors that affected access of TiOAT programs. METHODS: Between October 2021 to April 2022, individual qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 individuals enrolled in a TiOAT program at participating rural and smaller urban sites in British Columbia, Canada. Interview transcripts were coded using NVivo 12 and data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: TiOAT access varied considerably. TiOAT delivery in rural settings is complicated due to geographic challenges. Participants who were homeless and staying at a nearby shelter or those in centrally-located supportive housing had minimal issues compared to those living in more affordable housing on the outskirts of town with limited transportation options. Dispensing policies that required daily-witnessed ingestion multiple times daily were challenging for most. Only one site provided evening take-home doses whereas participants at the other site could only resort to the illicit opioid supply to address withdrawal outside of program hours. Participants described the clinics as providing a positive and familial social environment compared to experiences of stigma elsewhere. Medication interruptions did occur when participants were in hospital and custodial settings, leading to withdrawal, program discontinuation, and overdose risk. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the beneficial ways in which health services tailored for people who use drugs can create a stigma-free environment with an emphasis on social bonds. Other factors such as transportation access, dispensing policies, and access in rural hospitals and custodial settings produced unique challenges for rural people who use drugs. Public health authorities in rural and smaller settings should consider these factors when designing, implementing, and scaling up future substance use services, including TiOAT programs.

Experiencing the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Whilst Living With Cancer.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in considerable consequences for many cancer patients, exacerbating pre-existing systemic health system limitations as well as creating new challenges. From socially distanced clinics and the widespread introduction of telehealth, to the halting of clinical trials and the reassessment of what constitutes "essential" treatment, care in oncology has abruptly changed. There is currently limited analysis of cancer patients' experiences of the pandemic and its impacts on illness, wellness, and everyday life. Through semi-structured interviews with 54 people living with cancer during the 2020 phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Australia, we explore how patients experience illness and care in reflecting upon a range of pandemic challenges, including delay, distance, and vulnerability. We find that in some cases, these pandemic conditions redefined the meaning of essential cancer care, reconfigured expectations around clinical trials, constructed new affective distances, and amplified dread and fear for people living with cancer.

Qualitative Investigation of Experience and Quality of Life in Patients Treated with Calcium Electroporation for Cutaneous Metastases.

(1) Background: Calcium electroporation is a novel cancer treatment. It includes injecting calcium-solution and applying electric pulses to tumour tissue. Data on quality of life for patients with cutaneous metastases treated with calcium electroporation is limited. We evaluated quality of life in patients with skin metastases treated with calcium electroporation using qualitative interviews. (2) Methods: This investigation featured a subgroup from a non-randomised phase II study (CaEP-R) at Zealand University Hospital, Denmark, studying response to calcium electroporation in cutaneous metastasis (ClinicalTrials no. NCT04225767). Participants were interviewed at baseline before calcium electroporation treatment and after two months. Data was analysed phenomenologically; (3) Results: Interviews were conducted February 2020-November 2021. Nine patients were included, of which seven participated in both interviews. All seven patients expected treated tumours to disappear, symptom relief and minimal side effects. Most patients requested peer accounts. All patients found the treatment uncomfortable but acceptable; all thought their fears of electric pulses exceeded their experience. All would repeat the treatment if effective. Successful treatment had a positive effect on pain, symptomatic wounds, sleep, vigour and social inclination; (4) Conclusions: Calcium electroporation enhanced health-related quality of life by reducing symptoms and increasing social inclination. Peer accounts provide patients with a shortcut to confidence in treatment on top of doctors' recommendations.

'It depends on who I'm with': How young people with developmental language disorder describe their experiences of language and communication in school.

BACKGROUND: The risks of developmental language disorder (DLD) for both educational progress and socio-emotional development are well documented, but little is known about how children and young people with DLD experience and describe their language and communication. The need to complement experimental and quantitative studies with qualitative perspectives of the lived experience of individuals with DLD for speech and language therapists (SLT) practice has recently been foregrounded. AIMS: To understand further the experiences of young people with DLD focusing on language and communication in a school context, and thereby contribute to the improvement of the communicative situation in school for this group. The study is guided by the following research question: How do young people diagnosed with DLD describe their experiences of language and communication in school? METHODS & PROCEDURES: The study is based on data generated from qualitative semi-structured interviews with 23 participants diagnosed with DLD (age 13-19 years old) living in Sweden. All participants attended mainstream schools. To enable data to be collected during COVID-19 restrictions, all interviews were conducted using Zoom. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Four main themes related to experiences of language and communication in school were constructed from the interviews: (1) feelings of inadequacy and comparisons with others; (2) feelings of being misjudged and misunderstood; (3) the importance of feeling safe and comfortable; and (4) the significance of the social and communicative context. The results bear witness of difficult and challenging aspects related to language and communication in school, including educational, social and emotional dimensions. An important outcome of this study is how young people diagnosed with DLD describe their language and communication functioning to be dependent on both individual characteristics and abilities, as well as situational, contextual and social factors. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The results from this study show that young people with DLD can have persisting problems related to language and communication in school, including educational, social and emotional dimensions. SLT services may therefore be needed throughout the school years to ensure that students with DLD receive adequate support. In addition, support that goes beyond language abilities and targets social, contextual and emotional aspects should be considered. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject Children and young people have unique knowledge about their language and communication which is instrumental for designing interventions and support strategies. Qualitative analyses of interview data have been able to identify both risk factors and protective strategies in relation to the well-being of individuals with DLD. Despite this, children and young people with DLD are rarely heard in research or clinical discussions. What this paper adds to existing knowledge In this study we listen to the voices of young people with DLD as they describe their experiences of language and communication in school. The participants describe a condition that makes them struggle to keep up with peers and puts them at risk of being misjudged by teachers, but also give examples of situations where negative consequences are hardly felt. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? DLD is a complex and dynamic disorder where contextual and social factors interact with individual abilities in creating the end result. The results of the study indicate that DLD can cause persisting problems related to language and communication in school, with impact on educational, social and emotional dimensions. To counteract these effects, SLT services may be needed throughout the school years, and support that goes beyond language abilities must be considered.

Gender-based violence in South Africa: A narrative reflection

The pervasiveness of gender-based violence (GBV) against women and children constitutes the most severe expression of discrimination and dehumanisation of women and children in South Africa. Even before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic came, domestic violence was already one of the greatest human rights violations. Women for centuries suffered different forms of violation and continue to struggle in subtle forms in the 21st century. This article investigates the sociocultural theories, narrative reflections and COVID-19 pandemic challenges associated with the prevalence of GBV in South Africa. The article argues that patriarchal culture, religion, gender norms, lockdown and violence in South Africa perpetuate gender-based abuse. Therefore, the article unfolds this research through a literature review and narrative approach which is used to allow the co-researchers to share their stories. The article embarks on sociocultural experiences, the scourge of GBV in South Africa, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, qualitative interviews and theological reflections and concludes by suggesting future possibilities to fight GBV. Contribution: This article contributes to an understanding that abafazi nabantwana baphefumla ngenxeba [women and children are breathing through the wound] amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses the prevalence of GBV, the intersection of religious cultural effects, social sciences, gender inequality and the continued oppression of women and children. © 2022. The Author. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Mothers' ethnotheories of sibling relationships:A qualitative study in Turkey

In this article, Turkish mothers' perspectives on sibling relationships are described and analyzed on the basis of 15 qualitative interviews. It is surprising that sibling relationships have received little attention in cultural psychological or sociological research for decades, while other social relationships—such as parent–child relationships, (marital) partner relationships, peer relationships, or hierarchical relationships (e.g., superior–subordinate)—were often studied. The two main goals of the present study are first, to examine Turkish mothers' ethnotheories of sibling relationships between their own offspring and second, to analyze these parental ethnotheories through the lenses of the cultural psychological and sociological concepts of collectivism/individualism and interdependent/independent self-concepts. The interview data for this empirical study was derived from a larger project which focuses on parental ethnotheories more broadly. Problem-centered interview method was used. Eleven of the interviews took place via a digital platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while four of the interviews were conducted face-to-face just before pandemic's onset. The Turkish mothers interviewed were from Istanbul and Sinop, a small Turkish city on the coast of the Black Sea. The data was interpreted using the documentary method and relational hermeneutical analysis. The article examines and discusses three topics of sibling relationships, namely hierarchical/equal sibling roles based on birth order, solidarity/sharing, and conflict. We show that all of the mothers interviewed place a high value on connectedness between siblings. With regard to the hierarchical or egalitarian distribution of roles, some of the interviewees differ. [ FROM AUTHOR]

Patient, Family Member and Physician Perspectives and Experiences with AML Treatment Decision-Making.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment decisions in older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are challenging, particularly for those who are not candidates for intensive chemotherapy (IC), and the trade-offs patients, their families and physicians consider when choosing a treatment option are not well understood. This qualitative research explored the value of extending survival and the treatment decision-making process from a multi-stakeholder perspective. METHODS: Overall, 28 patients with AML (≥ 65 years old, unsuitable for IC), 25 of their relatives and 10 independent physicians from the US, UK and Canada took part in one-on-one, 60-minute qualitative interviews. RESULTS: Across all stakeholders, improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL), extended survival and relief of AML symptoms were recognized as most important in AML treatment decision-making. However, extending survival in 'good health' was more important than extending survival alone, particularly because of the extra time it gives patients and their relatives together, and allows patients to achieve important goals. Patients' limited understanding of available treatment options, paired with incorrect perceptions of treatment side effects, impacted their involvement in the treatment decision-making process. Patients and physicians perceived physicians to have the most influence in the decision-making process despite their priorities not always aligning. CONCLUSION: These findings illustrate the importance of having structured discussions which explicitly assess patients' goals and their understanding and expectations of treatments and also the need for patient friendly resources about the lived experience of AML and available treatment options. These measures will help to ensure that patients are fully involved in the shared decision-making process.

"It's a kind of freedom": adolescents and parents speak about motivations for active travel and COVID-19.

PURPOSE: Active travel (AT) incorporates physical activity into daily living, critical for healthy adolescent development. We explore adolescent and parent attitudes and behaviours related to motivations for adolescent AT and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured Zoom interviews with 25 adolescent-parent dyads in communities across Israel during early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic content analysis was used to develop categories and themes. RESULTS: We identified key themes related to adolescent AT: Fostering independence enables adolescent AT; Pampering and safety concerns inhibit adolescent AT; Family and community norms influence adolescent travel modes; Personal enjoyment and positive attitudes facilitate AT; Peers and social networks promote adolescent AT and PA; Built environment and transport options influence AT choices. Interestingly, adolescents indicate AT is an opportunity for peer-to-peer communication without screen distraction, yet they use social media to promote AT and PA. CONCLUSIONS: The findings point to the influence of positive parent perceptions, active and supportive family and community norms on adolescent AT. Peer norms and social networks as well as features of the built environment also have the potential to influence AT. The COVID-19 pandemic encouraged use of AT and provided a setting for positive AT experiences.

Qualitative Interviewforschung mit vulnerablen Gruppen: methodologische Reflexionen zum Einsatz von Präsenz-, Telefon- und Videotelefonie-Interviews in einem Forschungsprojekt zu Angst und Mobilität

Ziel dieses Beitrags ist, unterschiedliche qualitative Erhebungsformen (Präsenz-, Telefon- und Videotelefonie-Interviews) für die Forschung mit vulnerablen Gruppen methodologisch zu reflektieren. Im Beitrag adressieren wir die Leitfrage, wie sich Personen, die von starker Angst oder Angsterkrankungen betroffen sind, in qualitative Forschungsprojekte einbinden lassen und welche Vorteile und Herausforderungen mit den unterschiedlichen (analogen und digitalen) Erhebungsformen verbunden sind. Die Basis dafür bilden 12 qualitative Leitfadeninterviews (KRUSE 2015), die im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes "Angstfrei mobil" während der Covid-19-Pandemie in den unterschiedlichen Modi durchgeführt wurden. Der Vergleich der Erhebungsformen erfolgt in Hinblick auf Vorabsprache, Gesprächsführung, Verzerrungen und Validität sowie Darstellungstiefe und Zeit- und Dokumentationsaufwand. Die jeweiligen Vorteile und Herausforderungen werden sowohl für die interviewten als auch für die interviewenden Personen dargestellt. Wir beschreiben darüber hinaus, welche forschungsethischen Maßnahmen bei Interviewplanung, Rekrutierung und Kommunikation zum Schutz vulnerabler Zielgruppen zu treffen sind und geben konkrete Empfehlungen für die Durchführung von qualitativen Interviews mit Menschen, die von Angsterkrankungen betroffen sind.Alternate :Our aim in this article is to methodologically reflect on different qualitative forms of face-to-face, telephone, and video interviews for research with vulnerable groups. We address the key question of how people with anxiety disorders can be involved in qualitative research projects and what advantages and challenges are associated with the different (analogue and digital) forms of data collection. The basis for the comparison is formed by 12 semi-structured interviews (KRUSE, 2015), which were carried out in different modes as part of the research project "Mobility Without Fear" during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our comparison of the qualitative instruments is carried out with regard to planning interviews, interview practice, distortions, and validity and in terms of depth of content (from superficial to profound) and time and documentation efforts. Advantages and challenges are presented for both the interviewees and the interviewers. Moreover, we describe research-ethical considerations, which are to be taken in the course of interview planning, recruiting, and communicating, in order to protect vulnerable target groups, and we give specific recommendations for conducting qualitative interviews with people affected by anxiety disorders.

'Doing the best we can': Registered Nurses' experiences and perceptions of patient safety in intensive care during COVID-19.

AIMS: To explore registered nurses' experiences of patient safety in intensive care during COVID-19. DESIGN: A qualitative interview study informed by constructivism. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted and audio-recorded with 19 registered nurses who worked in intensive care during COVID-19 between May and July 2021. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed utilizing framework. RESULTS: Two key themes were identified. 'On a war footing'-an unprecedented situation which describes the situation nurses faced, and the actions are taken to prepare for the safe delivery of care. 'Doing the best we can'-Safe Delivery of Care which describes the ramifications of the actions taken on short- and long-term patient safety including organization of care, missed and suboptimal care and communication. Both themes were embedded in the landscape of Staff Well-being and Peer Support. CONCLUSION: Nurses reported an increase in patient safety risks which they attributed to the dilution of skill mix and fragmentation of care. Nurses demonstrated an understanding of the holistic and long-term impacts on patient safety and recovery from critical illness. IMPACT: This study explored the perceived impact of COVID-19 on patient safety in intensive care from a nursing perspective. Dilution of skill mix, where specialist critical care registered nurses were diluted with registered nurses with no critical care experience, and the fragmentation of care was perceived to lead to reduced quality of care and increased adverse events and risk of harm which were not consistently formally reported. Furthermore, nurses demonstrated a holistic and long-term appreciation of patient safety. These findings should be considered as part of future nursing workforce modelling and patient safety strategies by intensive care leaders and managers. No public or patient contribution to this study. The study aims and objectives were developed in collaboration with health care professionals.

'Opportunity to bond and a sense of normality': Parent and staff views of cuddling babies undergoing therapeutic hypothermia in neonatal intensive care: 'CoolCuddle'.

BACKGROUND: Currently, parents whose sick babies are undergoing three days of cooling therapy for hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are not permitted to cuddle their cooled babies, due to concerns of warming the baby or dislodging breathing tubes or vascular catheters. Parents want to stay and care for their cooled babies and have reported that bonding is adversely affected when they are not permitted to hold them. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Qualitative interviews with 21 parents of cooled babies in NICU (11 mothers and 10 fathers) and 10 neonatal staff (4 consultants and 6 nurses) explored their views and experiences of an intervention to enable parents to cuddle their cooled babies (CoolCuddle). Thematic analysis methods were used to develop the themes and compare them between parents and staff. RESULTS: Five themes were produced. Three themes were comparable between parents and staff: Closeness, a sense of normality and reassurance and support. An additional parent theme reflected their mixed feelings about initial participation as they were apprehensive, but felt that it was an amazing opportunity. Parents and staff described the closeness between parents and babies as important for bonding and breastfeeding. Fathers particularly appreciated the opportunity to hold and bond with their infants. Parents valued the reassurance and support received from staff, and the cuddles helped them feel more normal and more like a family at a very stressful time. In a final staff theme, they discussed the skills, number of staff and training needed to undertake CoolCuddle in NICU. CONCLUSIONS: Parents cuddling their babies during cooling therapy enhanced parent-infant bonding and family-centred care in NICU and was positively received. Adverse perinatal mental health, impaired mother-infant bonding and their effects on the establishment of breastfeeding may be ameliorated by introducing CoolCuddle. PATIENT CONTRIBUTION: Our parent advisors contributed to the interview topic guides and endorsed the themes from the analysis.

Covid-19, Ungleichheit und (Erwerbs-)Arbeit – zur Relevanz sozialer Klasse in der Pandemie

Der Beitrag verbindet die Forschung zu den Auswirkungen der Corona-Pandemie mit der Debatte über die Relevanz sozialer Klasse. Mit einem klassenanalytischen Zugang (Oesch-16) und auf der Basis eines Mixed-Methods-Designs mit Erwerbstätigensurvey und qualitativen Interviews aus der Frühphase der Pandemie werden die Auswirkungen von Covid-19 auf die Arbeitswelt in fünf Themenfeldern untersucht: Infektionsrisiken am Arbeitsplatz, wirtschaftliche Lasten, mobiles Arbeiten, Arbeitsbedingungen sowie Vereinbarkeit von Erwerbsarbeit und Kinderbetreuung. Dabei zeigen sich im Bereich der Erwerbsarbeit ausgeprägte vertikale und horizontale Klassenungleichheiten, die punktuell auch auf die Schnittstelle zur unbezahlten Sorgearbeit ausstrahlen und die zudem in den Alltagserfahrungen vieler Erwerbstätiger präsent sind. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen die Bedeutung der Klassenlage für das Arbeitserleben in der Pandemie, verweisen jedoch auch auf Grenzen der Erklärungskraft klassenanalytischer Perspektiven.Article NoteAlternate :This paper links the research on the impact of the Corona pandemic to the debate on the relevance of social class. Using a class analytic approach (Oesch-16) and based on a mixed-methods design with an employee survey and qualitative interviews from the early phase of the pandemic, the impact of Covid-19 on the world of work is examined in five thematic areas: Infection risks at the workplace, economic burdens, mobile working, working conditions, and reconciliation of paid work and child care. The results reveal pronounced vertical and horizontal class inequalities in the sphere of paid work, which partially also spill into the sphere of unpaid care work, and which are also present in the everyday experiences of many working people. The results highlight the importance of class for work experience in the pandemic, but also point to limitations of the explanatory power of class analytic perspectives in the sphere of care work.