The Tanzanian nurses’ experiences of caring for patients with life threatening conditions at a hospital in a small community : A qualitative interview study with nurses at a hospital in Bagamoyo, Tanzania

Abstract: Background: Tanzania is a low-income country where many people struggle to afford health care. Previous research on emergency health care in Tanzania shows that there are limited resources when it comes to both education in emergency care and acute care equipment. Furthermore, there is limited information concerning experiences from nurses working with emergency care under these conditions. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the Tanzanian nurses’ experience of caring for patients with life threatening conditions at a hospital in a small community. Method: The study has a qualitative design with a semi-structured interview method where six registered nurses with experience of caring for patients who suffers from life threatening conditions at the Bagamoyo District Hospital in Tanzania were interviewed. The interview transcriptions where analyzed with a qualitative content analysis method described by Granheim and Lundman (2004). Results: The result shows that the nurses works in an environment where recourses are limited and how they have found alternative ways to provide care under the given circumstances. It reveals how the nurses’ cope with these situations, their emotional challenges and how they manage feelings that comes from caring for patients with life threatening conditions under the prevailing circumstances. Discussion: The result was discussed in relation to Roy’s adaption theory where the main focus was on the human being and its ability to adapt in order to maintain health and quality of life while interacting with a changing environment.