Vol. 3 No. 2 (2024): evolution of vascular access
Articles

Highlanders: a qualitative study to explore the experiences of home care nurses in rural areas in Italy

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  • Nicolas Capitani,
  • Laura Rasero,
  • Yari Longobucco,
  • Camilla Elena Magi,
  • Paolo Iovino,
  • Stefano Bambi,
  • Diletta Calamassi
Nicolas Capitani
Servizio Infermieristico Domiciliare di Vergato, AUSL Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Bio
Laura Rasero
Associate Professor in Nursing Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Bio
Yari Longobucco
Assistant Professor in Nursing Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Bio
Camilla Elena Magi
Research Fellow in Nursing Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of Biomedicine and Prevention Faculty of Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy
Bio
Paolo Iovino
Assistant Professor in Nursing Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Bio
Stefano Bambi
Associate Professor in Nursing Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Bio
Diletta Calamassi
SOC Formazione Empoli. Ausl Toscana Centro, Empoli, Italy
Bio
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/if-2450

Published 2024-06-01

Keywords

  • Nurse,
  • Home care,
  • Rural-mountainous areas,
  • Perceptions,
  • Criticality,
  • Satisfaction
    • ...More
    Less

Copyright (c) 2024 Nicolas Capitani, Laura Rasero, Yari Longobucco, Camilla Elena Magi, Paolo Iovino, Stefano Bambi, Diletta Calamassi

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Introduction and aim: Home care in rural areas is characterised by peculiarities linked to both the type of care of the patient and his/her family and the context in which it is provided. International studies have highlighted the need for specialised training and advanced clinical skills to work in this field. Currently, there are no studies in the literature that explore the experiential feelings of Italian nurses who provide home care in rural areas. Setting: Rural areas in Italian Apennine District. Participants: Italian home care nurses in the selected areas. Design: Qualitative study using a transcendental phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face, and audio was recorded with home care nurses.
Results: Eleven nurses (mean age, 53 years) were interviewed. Four themes supported by nine codes emerged: "Entering your homes" (Stepping lightly; a matter of trust; key professional); "Being home care nurses in rural areas" (Working alone, autonomy, responsibility and gratifications; ideal characteristics of home care nurse); "Love and hate toward doctors" (Family doctors; ANT doctors); "The territory: the Apennines and mountainous areas" (working in rural areas; healthcare professionals).
Discussion and conclusions: The risks for home careers in rural areas are related to the vastness of the territory, long car journeys, the harsh climate in winter, and pets in the homes. The beauty of the area, the close relationship established with the families in charge, and daytime working hours are reasons for great professional and personal satisfaction. Some modalities and forms of collaboration with general practitioners can be improved.

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