Hyperacute stroke and the specialist nursing impact: exploring the cause and context of feelings of secondary traumatic stress – a qualitative inquiry. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilkinson, Mark; Cox, Nigel; Witham, Gary; Haigh, Carol
• Is Part Of: Journal of research in nursing. Volume 27:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 343
• Page End: 354
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: acute -- narrative research -- secondary traumatic stress -- specialist nursing -- stroke; Nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing Care -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1177/17449871211018739
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-9871

Abstract

Background: Secondary traumatic stress (STS) has been defined as the stress resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatised or suffering person. The hyperacute nature of stroke specialist nurses' work places them at risk of developing STS. Aims: To explore the factors that are influential in stroke specialist nurses' experience of STS development within hyperacute practice. Methods: This study is qualitative with a narrative design. Data were collected from a purposive sample of stroke specialist nurses (20 female and 2 male) working in hyperacute services during the years 2016 and 2017. Data were analysed using Polkinghorne's approach. Results: This research identified four themes: exposure to acute suffering and death- young presentations; moral distress; interactions with relatives and problematic healthcare systems. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that stroke specialist nurses are exposed to multiple triggers which are commensurate with the potential for STS development. The findings contribute a new understanding of the emotional burden of hyperacute specialist stroke nursing that has implications for patient safety and satisfaction, services provision and staff well-being.