Exploring Nurses' Perception of Stigma in Intensive Care Units: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Sociology in Healthcare
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Stigma poses significant health risks, leading to social exclusion and deteriorating mental and physical health.
• Limited research exists on nurses' perceptions of stigma in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and its impact on their well-being.
• Understanding stigma is vital as it affects healthcare access and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses' perceptions of associative and public stigma.
• To investigate nurses' engagement in avoidance thoughts and behaviors when caring for stigmatized patients.
• To understand the influence of stigma on nurses' attitudes and professional conduct in Egypt.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive phenomenological research design was employed.
• Inductive content analysis was used to analyze interview data.
• Fifteen ICU nurses in Egypt participated in the study.

Main Results:

• Nurses perceived stigma associated with various conditions beyond infectious diseases, including tattoos, tuberculosis, HIV, and incarcerated patients.
• Stigma evoked emotional reactions affecting nurses' professional conduct and identity.
• Nurses reported challenges in fulfilling professional and social roles due to patient stigma.
• Key coping strategies identified included the need for specialized training and enhanced resilience.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a deep understanding of ICU nurses' perceptions of stigma and avoidance behaviors in Egypt.
• Findings highlight the need for interventions to address stigma among healthcare professionals.
• Improving nurses' awareness, resilience, and communication skills is essential for better patient care and a supportive work environment.