Covid-19 and its psychical influences on the perception of the nursing staff of oncological palliative care

Abstract

Objective: to identify the main psychological influences on the perception of the Nursing staff in oncological palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: interpretative study with a qualitative approach with theoretical framework in the psychodynamics of Christophe Dejours'
work. The sample comprised 20 members of the Nursing staff who work to assist patients in oncological palliative care suspected and confirmed for COVID-19. Developed in a hospital unit specialized in oncological palliative care in the city of Rio de Janeiro/Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed based on the methodological framework of the discourse of the collective subject (CSD). Results: two CSD speeches emerged with their central ideas: CSD1 - “negative psychological influences of oncological palliative care during the pandemic by COVID-19 in the perception of the Nursing staff”; and CSD2 - “Positive psychological influences of oncological palliative care during the pandemic by COVID-19 in the perception of the Nursing staff”. Conclusion: it was possible to notice that the emotional load demanded by these professionals, as well as everything involved in the process of coping with this pandemic, has an important relationship with the appearance of symptoms that can trigger the burnout syndrome. On the other hand, it was possible to identify positive factors related to professional well-being during
the pandemic and protective factors to the workers’ health, such as staying in the same work team aiming at mutual support.