Response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic: Manitoba public health nurses' experience

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Date
2013-08-15
Authors
Long, Michelle Marie
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Abstract
During the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, public health nurses (PHNs) were called upon to protect their communities against a deadly influenza virus. Currently, there appears to be no literature that describes the experience of Canadian PHNs responding to the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. A qualitative research study was conducted and the data were analyzed by using content analysis. Thirteen nurses were interviewed from an Urban, Rural and Northern health region in Manitoba. Focus groups were conducted for the Urban and Rural nurses while Northern nurses were interviewed by telephone. Communication and dissemination of information, personal and professional challenges, personal face of the pandemic, regional support and lessons learned were themes generated from the data analysis. Communication and information flow was a major theme that impacted the overall PHNs’ response experience. Practice, administration, research and education implications and the limitations of the study are presented in the study.
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Keywords
public health, nursing, emergency preparedness, H1N1 influenza, pandemic
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