O adoecimento de profissionais de enfermagem por COVID-19: uma análise a partir da teoria da incerteza da doença

Abstract

Introduction:This study had as its object the experience of uncertainty experienced by nursing professionals during the illness process by COVID-19. The uncertainty of the disease is intrinsically related to the inability to make sense of events that are related to it, in the sense of assigning concrete values, predicting results and building coping strategies. It is noteworthy that receiving the diagnosis by itself does not alleviate the uncertainty of the person affected by COVID-19. Objectives: To analyze the uncertainties experienced by nursing professionals who got sick from COVID-19. Methodology: It was a qualitative exploratory-descriptive research, carried out with 20 nursing professionals who fell ill by Covid-19, whose statements were collected through semi-structured interviews. Minayo's content analysis was performed and Merle Mishel's (1990) Reconceptualized Theory of Disease Uncertainty was used as a theoretical framework. Results and discussion:After organizing the data and reflecting on the findings, the following categories of analysis emerged: Category 1 - Cognitive capacity and the inference in the predictability of (un)certainty of the disease; Category 2 - A real threat? The uncertainty of the unknown; Category 3 - Coping strategies - "Coping" - and their repercussions on adaptive reactions. Conclusion: Assuming that the worldwide pandemic for the new Coronavirus arose with a multitude of uncertainties and that these reflect as a lack of clarity and inadequacy in the cognitive state, impairing the interpretation and evaluation of the events of the disease experience and compromising the adaptation of the sick person, We understand that the application of the Disease Uncertainty Theory was an adequate theoretical framework for reading the phenomenon of illness among nursing professionals by COVID-19.