Abstract
Aim:
To explore district nurses' experiences of information received from the employer and communicated to patients in the context of the pandemic A (H1N1).
Background:
Dissemination of oral and written information in pandemics is essential to limit the spread of infection and public concern. Information is channeled via various authorities and health care centers, where district nurses often provide information directly to patients.
Method:
Transcribed semi structured interviews with 21 district nurses in Region Skåne were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
Results:
The district nurses experienced shortfalls in the information communicated from the employer and that the relevant information was often preceded by public media. This made it problematic to provide information concerning pandemic A(H1N1) in a professional manner, as well as to mediate safety and credibility. During the pandemic the district nurses simultaneously sought information from websites, popular science magazines and other public media. The nurses did however express an understanding of the difficulty in this unique situation and have a positive outlook on the use of the intranet for dissemination of information.
Conclusion:
It is important that district nurses receive prompt and precise information from their employer in a pandemic to facilitate the patients' information needs in credible manner.