[Analysis of team specific situations of burden in everyday nursing and development of tailored interventions: an...

In collaboration with a county hospital the centre for research and services of the University of Applied Sciences Health in Freiburg (Switzerland) has conducted a project aiming at exploring burdensome, stressful and difficult situations from the perspective of nursing professionals. Situations of burden originate among other things at institutional level, but are also influenced by the team. Therefore situations of burden of the medical team (n=12) of the hospital were elicited in structured interview groups, which were analysed with support of computer software. The results (14 Code families, derived from 114 Codes) showed helpful support structures already existed in the team, for example a blackboard as a possibility to give feedback. Some nursing situations like the work with psychiatric patients or with family members were exposed as being difficult and demanding for nurses to deal with. Interventions based on the findings of the groups were derived and implemented in collaboration with the health care team. Situations of burden with patients, work organisation, quality and overall concept were themes treated in three interventions. Oral feedback was used to evaluate the interventions' outcomes. This group specific approach where evidence based knowledge and self reflection were implemented was designated as being successful according to the participating team.