The effects of online support program for nurses with COVID-19 patients on the professional quality of life and psychological empowerment perception: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the effects of an online support program for nurses with Covid-19 patients on their professional quality of life and psychological empowerment.
METHODS: This parallel randomized controlled experimental study with a pre- and post-test was prepared using the CONSORT 2010 checklist. This study was conducted online from July to December 2020 in Türkiye. The study was conducted with 48 nurses intervention group (n=24); control group (n=24) who were directly involved in the care of patients with Covid-19. The study data were collected using a personal information form, the Professional Quality of Life Scale and the Psychological Empowerment Scale (PES). An eight-session online support program was administered to the intervention group once a week. The scales were re-administered to the intervention and control groups after the program.
RESULTS: The intervention group’s post-test PES (t=−2.757; p=0.008; d=0.79) and compassion satisfaction scores (t=−3.887; p=0.000; d=1.12) increased significantly; their burnout (t=2.917; p=0.005; d=0.84) and compassion fatigue (t=3.134; p=0.003; d=0.90) post-test scores decreased significantly (p<0.05). The intervention group’s post-test PES (t=−4.926; p=0.000; d=1.01) and compassion satisfaction scores (t=−3.524; p=0.002; d=0.71) were significantly higher than their pre-test scores, and their compassion fatigue post-test score (t=3.646; p=0.001; d=0.72) was significantly lower (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study’s online support program for nurses with Covid-19 patients increased their psychological empowerment and compassion satisfaction, and reduced their levels of burnout and compassion fatigue.