Iranian Nurses' Challenges in Caring for Older Adults: A Content Analysis Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nursing Studies
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The growing elderly population presents unique healthcare demands.
• Effective geriatric care requires specialized nursing skills and supportive environments.
• Understanding nurses' perspectives is crucial for improving elder care quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and identify the challenges faced by Iranian nurses in providing care to older adults.
• To provide insights into the specific barriers hindering optimal geriatric nursing in Iran.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing semi-structured, face-to-face interviews.
• Purposeful sampling of 22 nurses working with older adults.
• Thematic analysis of interview data to identify key challenge categories.

Main Results:

• Identified three main categories of challenges: older adult-nurse interaction, structural problems, and educational gaps.
• Specific challenges include nurse-older adult communication barriers, nurse shortages, inadequate ward environments, and lack of specialized gerontological training.
• Findings highlight a need for improved nursing curricula and in-service training focused on geriatric care ethics and communication.

Conclusions:

• Iranian nurses encounter multifaceted challenges in caring for older adults, impacting care quality.
• There is a critical need for developing and implementing culture-specific geriatric care programs.
• Enhancing nursing education and addressing systemic issues are essential for better elder care outcomes.