Operating Room Nurses’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Coronavirus Disease 2019, Quarantine, and Mask Concepts: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to reveal operating room nurses’ perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019, mask use, and quarantine process through metaphors. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted with operating room nurses (n = 96). The study data were collected between September 2020 and March 2021 by using a descriptive characteristics form and a semistructured form. The operating room nurses were asked to write down what they compared the concepts of "COVID-19,” “mask use” and "quarantine process" to and the reason for their metaphors. The data were analyzed by using the “content analysis” method. Results: A total of 181 metaphors were produced about the 3 different concepts in the study. The metaphors about the concept of “COVID-19” were grouped into 3 categories as “transmission mutation,” “harmful,” and “coping and adjustment process.” The metaphors about the concept of “quarantine process” were classified into 2 categories as “restriction of freedom” and “process of change.” The metaphors about “mask use” were grouped into 3 categories as “positive aspects,” “negative aspects,” and “both positive and negative aspects.” Conclusion: This study shows that nurses working in operating rooms focus on the positive aspects of this process as well as the difficulties they have experienced during the pandemic.