Obstacles to the Quality and Continuity of Nursing Care for Patients Admitted to the Medical and Surgical Wards of Ebolowa Regional Hospital, Southern Cameroon

Résumé

Introduction: The quality and continuity of care are major concerns for
healthcare facilities in many countries. The nursing service, positioned as the
hub of care and the interface between the patients and the medical-adminis-
trative system, plays a pivotal role. This study aimed to identify the obstacles
to the quality and continuity of nursing care for patients admitted to the med-
ical and surgical wards of Ebolowa Regional Hospital (ERH) in Southern Cam-
eroon. Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted at HRE, involving 10
healthcare workers (5 from medicine and 5 from surgery) and 10 hospitalized
patients from July 3 to 30, 2024. The study participants were selected on a
reasoned basis. Data were collected during individual interviews using a struc-
tured, pre-determined interview guide. M. Grawitz’s content analysis method
guided each stage of data processing. Jean Watson’s “Caring” theory served as
the theoretical framework for linking the empirical data to the concepts of
person-centered care. Results: Twenty participants were included. Content
analysis revealed obstacles in several domains. Human and relational: poor
caregiver-patient relationships; unpleasant caregiver-caregiver relationships;
lack of motivation among caregivers; and high workloads. Access to care: dif-
ficulty accessing care and insufficient human resources. Organisational: poor
organisation of care; insufficient supervision; irregular continuing education;
limited information, education, and communication for behavioral change sessions; and poor documentation within the structure. Material and economic:
low monthly income and insufficient material resources. Conclusion: The
quality and continuity of nursing care remain critical for patient safety and
healthcare system effectiveness. However, various obstacles faced by patients
and healthcare professionals compromise these goals. Integrating relational,
organisational, and clinical strategies could contribute to overcoming these
barriers, fostering more humane, effective, and sustainable care.

Mots-clés

Barriers to Care, Quality of Care, Continuity of Patient Care, Nursing Care, Health Worker

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