Lebanese nurses' perceptions of care during wartime: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Conflict Studies
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Lebanon experiences frequent wars and armed conflicts.
• The recent war in Lebanon was unprecedented in its scale since 1982.
• The conflict significantly impacted various sectors, including nursing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Lebanese nurses' perceptions of nursing care delivery during the most recent war.
• To understand the experiences and challenges faced by nurses in a wartime setting.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive research design using descriptive phenomenology.
• Semi-structured interviews conducted with 19 nurses in Beirut hospitals.
• Inductive thematic analysis performed over 2.5 months.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: "Unique working circumstances", "Patriotism and faith shaping wartime care", "Evolving concept of care", and "Professional and personal lessons".
• Nurses' experiences were shaped by challenging conditions and personal motivations.
• Wartime care evolved, leading to significant professional and personal growth.

Conclusions:

• Specialized war-related educational programs are crucial for nursing staff.
• Training should focus on effective emergency care in conflict zones like Lebanon.
• Findings have implications for nursing academia and policy development.