Nurses' experience of work and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East: A systematic qualitative review

Abstract

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly throughout the world and initiating unprecedented interventions to aid in the prevention of infection transmission, especially in the Middle East, where many changes in religious gatherings and social habits have occurred. Nurses have been on the front lines providing direct care to infected patients, and they may be overwhelmed by the many pressures they face. Therefore, understanding nurses' experiences and perspectives will aid in developing effective interventions to support them that are tailored to their needs during times of crisis. Objective: To explore nurses' experience of work and wellbeing during the COVID- 19 pandemic in the Middle East. Methods: A systematic qualitative review was conducted using the JBI approach as a framework. Searches were conducted via databases including CINAHL, MEDLINE and EMBASE, in addition to a manual search and reference lists of relevant studies. Results: Twelve qualitative studies were included in the review, and 114 findings were extracted from the included studies and grouped into 13 categories, then further synthesised into four meta-syntheses. These were: (i) Nurses have been affected psychologically and emotionally during the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) Several facility-based challenges resulting from COVID-19 have negatively affected nurses’ health and patients’ quality of care; (iii) Understanding nurses’ needs and their adaptation strategies provides an opportunity to help them continue to work during the COVID-19 crisis; and (iv) It is important to recognise that COVID-19 has influenced nurses’ lives and careers in both positive and negative ways. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the wellbeing, protective equipment, workload and work environment of nurses in the Middle East. This paper provides nurse policymakers and managers with evidence to effectively support nurses during the current and any future pandemic.