This research project on experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic in Norwegian nursing homes is carried out by a group of researchers from all five centers of care research (CCR East, South, West, Center and North) on behalf of the Norwegian Corona Commission (NCC). The primary results were reported to NCC in a reportused as background material for the commission´s first main report in 2021. Furthermore, findings from this research are disseminated in articles published in peer-reviewed journals.
The overarching aim of the project is to gain knowledge on experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic in Norwegian nursing homes, herein more knowledge in the preparedness of nursing homes for handling such a pandemic, which challenges were posed by the pandemic, and how the nursing homes, practically and concrete, managed and handled these challenges.
Main research questions:
- To what extent were nursing homes prepared for a pandemic situation?
- To what extent did the personnel in nursing homes adapt when faced with limitations challenging their normal ability to, and prerequisites for, taking care of the residents´ needs?
- Which prioritizations were made in real life with regards to tasks and care for residents with different needs (both internally and with regards to cooperation with external stakeholders)?
- What were the experiences of the residents´ relatives in the demanding pandemic situation?
Five qualitative case studies in five nursing homes, located in five different municipalities, geographically spread to five different regions, were carried out. In order to acquire a variety in types of cases, we selected municipalities and nursing homes of different sizes, various levels of contamination pressure and Covid-19 related deaths. The purpose of the case study design in this context was to explore experiences in depth, and through that seek to gain insight in significant processes connected to nursing homes´ handling of the pandemic situation.
Members (CCR North):
Martin Sollund Krane
Jill-Marit Moholt
Cathrine Arntzen
Dissemination/publications:
- Jakobsen et al. (2021): Erfaringer med Covid-19 I norske sykehjem (background report to NCC), Centre for Care Research report series: 1/2021
- Krane, M. S., Arntzen, C., Tingvold, L., Moholt, J.-M. (2023): Crisis Management in Norwegian Nursing Homes: Pragmatism and Performativity. Tidsskrift for omsorgsforskning 2023:3(9)https://www.idunn.no/doi/10.18261/tfo.9.2.3
- Tingvold L, Moholt J-M, Førland O, Jacobsen FF, Tranvåg O. Intended, Unintended, Unanticipated? Consequences of Social Distancing Measures for Nursing Home Residents During the Covid-19 Pandemic.Global Qualitative Nursing Research. 2023;10. doi:1177/23333936231176204