Nursing Care for Patients With COVID-19 & Depression

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Summary or Research Article
Major Variables
Strengths and Weaknesses
Practice Guideline
Fourth Resource
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Pandemics have always threatened human societies, their well-being, and evolution. Epidemics promoted radical alterations in people’s worldviews, critical social processes, and economies. Under these conditions, the stable work of the healthcare sector was the primary factor helping states to face the challenge, overcome crises, and return to normal functioning. In the 21st century, the COVID-19 pandemic has become a severe challenge to all states globally. The problem is complicated by the fact that the disease might cause the emergence and development of numerous complications affecting different systems and patients’ mental health. For this reason, the introduction of an effective response to the problem acquired the top priority. Considering this information, the following PICO question is formulated:

Do individuals suffering from COVID-19 generate responsiveness against depression once they undergo thorough nursing care compared to those unattended frequently?

Recent statistics evidence the importance of the question. The World Health Organization (2022b) reports that COVID-19 triggers a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression. Moreover, in 2020, most countries had to spend, on average, over 2% of their health budgets to address emerging mental health issues (World Health Organization, 2022b). It means that the pandemic introduces numerous stress factors aggravating the state of individuals and creating the basis for the emergence of negative trends. Thus, consultations and nursing care are viewed as factors that might help to avoid adverse outcomes and support patients during their recovery.

Summary or Research Article

The significance of the selected problem contributed to the emergence of numerous research works devoted to the issue. For instance, the study by Niu et al. (2021) focuses on investigating the psychological effects of nursing interventions on patients who might have COVID-19. The researchers use the correlational research design supported by the non-probability convenience sampling to select 137 patients from Tianjin Third Central Hospital (Niu et al., 2021).

All patients should meet the established inclusion criteria, such as being suspected of the coronavirus, specific age, absence of mental impairment, and willingness to participate (Niu et al., 2021). This approach to choosing individuals guaranteed the increased credibility of findings and provided the authors with the information necessary to discuss the issue of interest.

The results prove the critical role of nursing care in addressing mental health issues in patients with COVID-19. Niu et al. (2021) admit a significant reduction in anxiety and depression rates after the nursing intervention. The participants demonstrated higher rates of coping scores due to the provided support (Niu et al., 2021). It means that the flexible and appropriate psychological aid offered by nurses can be critical for patients struggling against the virus. It might help to reduce anxiety because of fear and uncertainty and support mental health at the appropriate level to avoid undesired complications. The findings help to answer the PICO question as nursing care promotes positive shifts in patients and their responsiveness against depression.

Major Variables

The researchers investigate the issue of interest correlating the dependent and independent variables. Thus, nursing interventions are the independent variable introduced by the authors. They defined it as psychological help, assistance, encouragement, and support provided by health workers when interacting with patients who might have COVID-19 (Niu et al., 2021). The study implies 11 interventions comprising the broader term nursing intervention variable (Niu et al., 2021). The operational definition implies the isolation from 1 to 11 days to ensure the factor affects the participants and triggers specific changes in their mental health and statuses (Niu et al., 2021). By introducing this independent variable, the researchers acquire the chance to analyze the correlation between the two investigated phenomena and conclude about the nature or relations between them.

Thus, patients’ depression and anxiety levels can be viewed as the dependent variables of the study. The authors do not introduce a clear conceptual definition of the variables because of their understandable nature (Niu et al., 2021). However, they describe the detailed operation definition and how the selected phenomena will be measured. Thus, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Trait Coping Style Questionnaire are used to evaluate the variable and collect the necessary data (Niu et al., 2021). At the same time, the SPSS tools are employed to collate information and acquire a ratio showing the correlation between the selected aspects and prove whether a positive change can be observed. This approach helps to ensure the increased credibility of findings and avoid serious flaws.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The selected study has specific strengths and weaknesses that should be mentioned. The most important strong aspect of the article is linked to its topicality. As stated previously, COVID-19 remains a serious issue threatening millions of individuals globally. At the same time, it might promote a significant deterioration of the mental health of individuals at a high risk of infection. For this reason, the research aimed on investigating how nurses can assist this cohort acquires increased topicality. It might help to improve the work of the sector and provide nurses with the tools to work with patients and achieve the preservation of their mental health at the desired level.

At the same time, the article has a particular weakness that should be mentioned. Niu et al. (2021) use three questionnaires (GAD-7, PHQ-9, and TCSQ) as the data collection tools. Although the tools are characterized by a high level of validity and reliability, they might confuse the participants because they need to use three questionnaires during the research. In such a way, it might impact the accuracy of provided information, objectivity, and credibility of findings. However, regardless of the described drawback, the study remains topical and relevant as the authors touch upon an important issue that should be evaluated to enhance its understanding.

Practice Guideline

The problem of mental health among COVID-19 patients and the ways of addressing depression and anxiety levels are also discussed by the clinical practice guideline offered by the World Health Organization.

The document is essential for a better vision of the issue under research and is also relevant regarding the introduced PICO question. First of all, it states that COVID-19 is associated with numerous neurological and mental manifestations, including anxiety and depression (World Health Organization, 2022a). It means that patients struggling against the disease might face the serious challenge of overcoming the symptoms and preserving the high quality of their lives. That is why addressing the given aspect is vital for success and complete recovery.

Second, the guideline accepts the increased importance of nursing care and nurses while working with this cohort of patients. It states that a workforce for the rehabilitation of individuals with COVID-19 complications might include nurses who are qualified to provide such services (World Health Organization, 2022a). It means that these medical workers are vital for attaining positive outcomes. Finally, the guideline states that psychological support is vital for the clinical rehabilitation management of depression (World Health Organization, 2022a). It means that a nurse can become a specialist responsible for providing this service or helping a patient to relax and find alternatives available at the moment. For this reason, the guideline can be used in practice to align effective care.

Fourth Resource

The problem discussed in the paper is also touched upon by other researchers because of its significance. For instance, the study by Holman et al. (2020) discusses mental health during the COVID pandemic. The meta-analysis shows that the pandemic remains a critical collective stressor impacting the nation’s mental health and individuals’ ability to resist pressure (Holman et al., 2020). The disease triggered the rapid evolution of preexisting depressive symptoms and mental health diagnoses (Holman et al., 2020). As a result, an increased number of individuals require psychological aid because of the significant growth in depression and anxiety rates. Moreover, Holman et al. (2020) state that acute stress levels increase across various cohorts of individuals. Because stress is the primary factor leading to mental health issues, COVID-19 has become a serious aspect triggering the development of numerous complications.

Finally, the selected article shows that external stressors might have a severe impact on individuals, and they will require assistance. For instance, Holman et al. (2020) say that media coverage during the first stages of the pandemic’s development triggered rapid growth in anxiety and depression levels because of fear of uncertainty. Under these conditions, the nurse, as a specialist possessing accurate information about the virus, can be viewed as an important figure who can inform patients about the actual situation and help them relax (). In such a way, the article proves the correlation between depression rates and the pandemic.

Conclusion

Altogether, the provided paper revolves around the following PICO question:

Do Individuals suffering from COVID-19 generate responsiveness against depression once they undergo thorough nursing care compared to those unattended frequently?

The topic’s significance is evidenced by a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression globally (World Health Organization, 2022b). The acquired information proves that nursing interventions might be an effective measure to address the problem. Patients provided with this support demonstrate reduced anxiety and depression levels (Niu et al., 2021). Moreover, they generate better coping strategies and feel safe and secure. The relevant clinical practice guideline supports this information. It states that nurses and care providers should be responsible for rehabilitation and provision of psychological support (25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression (World Health Organization, 2022a). It will help to attain better outcomes and avoid undesired effects.

In such a way, COVID-19 is a severe threat to the nation’s health. Along with numerous physiological issues, it also contributes to the growth in depression rates among clients (Holman et al., 2020). For this reason, nurses working with patients should focus on providing psychological help when possible. It would help to avoid the critical deterioration of the situation and build better responses to depression among vulnerable groups of patients. The current research on the topic proves the relevance of the discussed issue and the central role nurses play in assisting patients in their rehabilitation.

References

Holman, E. A., Thompson, R. R., Garfin, D. R., & Silver, R. C. (2020). The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic: A probability-based, nationally representative study of mental health in the United States. Science Advances, 6(42), eabd5390. Web.

Niu, W., M, X., Zhang, & Sun, Z. (2021). The psychological effects of nursing interventions on patients with suspected COVID-19 during isolation. Annals of Palliative Medicine, 10(6), 6344-6450. Web.

World Health Organization. (2022a). Clinical management of COVID-19. Living guideline. Web.

World Health Organization. (2022b). COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. Web.

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