A Qualitative Study exploring a Registered Nurse's perceptions and experiences of assessing stroke patients in the clinical area during the Covid 19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Stroke remains the largest cause of disability in the UK and skills assessment are a prerequisite for accurate diagnosis and treatment plans from healthcare professionals.The objectives of the study were to explore registered nurses' perceived barriers in relation to stroke assessment and finally to identify gaps from the research and enhance improvements for improving patients care. Method(s) An interpretive qualitative study utilising semi-structured interviews for data collection was the initial methodology.However, this methodology was disregarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher opted to write a personal reflection from both a student and heath professional perspective, using both self-reflexivity and auto ethnography methodology (Hughes and Pennington,2017) and applying Clarke's 6 stages of the thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2012). Result(s) The interpretive self reflection study identified three main themes by the researcher. These themes focused on anger and frustration;responsibilities as a health professional and feelings of powerless as a female student. Conclusion(s) COVID-19 restrictions meant there were limitations using the original semi-structured interviews from Registered Nurses with different levels of experience.Further discussion needs to be around undertaking the original semi-structure interviews when the incidence Covid-19 wanes, to identify weather these themes are generic to the stroke environment or unique to the pandemic. Recommendations are to fully complete the study in the post-pandemic period to assess,analyse and develop a stroke programme to educate, support and nurture the knowledge and skills required to deliver stroke care in future .