RESUMO
Objective: Pain, stress, and diabetes mellitus (DM) are common complaints for Guatemalans seeking health care. Because acupuncture therapy (AT) is a low-cost, effective treatment for these concerns, it was offered to Guatemalans during a health care mission as an adjunct to primary care. The purpose of this study was to gather feedback about providing AT in this context and to describe the lessons that were learned. Materials and Methods: A pretest single-arm exploratory study design was used, collecting demographic data and administering a pretest to patients referred for AT. Patients received AT according to presenting symptoms, except patients with DM, who were treated with a previously developed auricular AT protocol. After AT, all patients received adhesive seeds for self-administered auricular acupressure, along with a printed diagram, showing where and how to apply them, and a symptom-tracking form. Results: AT was given to 11 patients (1 had DM; 10 did not). Most were female (9; 82%), older (average 59.27 years; range: 40-81 years), and had little education (average 4 years; range: 0-12 years). Complaints were pain (11; 100%), insomnia (6; 55%), anxiety (4; 36%), depression (7; 64%), and stress (3; 27%). More than 50% had seen health care providers (6; 55%). One person had AT previously and 3 people requested more information about AT before receiving it. Conclusions: Reporting high symptom burdens, most patients were unfamiliar with AT. AT ceased when the licensed acupuncturist contracted COVID. Patients will be followed in 2023 and AT will be given to collect data on feasibility, satisfaction, and possible implementation.
RESUMO
Purpose of Study: Though nursing burnout is a global problem, research on nurse burnout in Haiti is scarce. In a context of multiple personal, social, and environmental challenges, this study assessed burnout and associated factors among Haitian nurses. Design of Study: A multi-site cross-sectional study. Methods: A survey in French and Haitian Creole was conducted in five Haitian hospitals using forward and back translated scales measuring burnout (emotional exhaustion [EE], depersonalization [DP], personal accomplishment [PA]), self-efficacy, nursing work environment, resilience, and demographics. Findings: Haitian nurses (N = 179) self-reported moderate EE (M = 21, SD = 11.18), low DP (Mdn = 2.0, range = 29), and high personal accomplishment (Mdn = 41.0, range = 33). General self-efficacy (M = 32.31, SD = 4.27) and resilience (M = 26.68, SD = 5.86) were high. Dissatisfaction with salary, autonomy, and staffing were evident. Conclusions: It is noteworthy that burnout was lower than expected given the scarce resource, difficult socio-politico-economic environment. High levels of self-efficacy and resilience likely mitigated a higher level of burnout. Adaptation enables these nurses to manage their critical conditions and practice holistic nursing, which may inspire hope among nurses in similar contexts.
Assuntos
Esgotamento Profissional , Enfermeiras e Enfermeiros , Humanos , Estudos Transversais , Haiti , Autoeficácia , Esgotamento Profissional/psicologia , Local de Trabalho/psicologia , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
ABSTRACT: Haitian nurses live in a precarious environment, with healthcare disparity and low wages. In the presence of significant politico-social-economic disparities, adverse effects of natural disasters, deleterious infrastructure, challenged self-boundaries, and the burden of caring for high-need patients, the authors sought a better understanding of nurses' perspective of the situation. During qualitative interviews, Haitian nurses in two faith-based hospitals (N = 17) reported feeling powerless yet exhibited resilience and dedication to nursing as a calling. These conditions cry out for support of nurses' self-care needs. Future interventions may help nurses identify better resources to care for themselves and guide their practice.