Nurses' Experience of Nursing Workload-Related Issues during Caring Patients with Dementia: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

The behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which appear in all dementia patients, demand sizable commitments of time and effort from nurses. This study aims to identify issues related to the workloads of nurses who provide care for dementia patients via qualitative meta-synthesis. Eleven articles were selected using a systematic review flowchart, which were then evaluated for their quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist. Collected data were analyzed using a line-of-argument method. Theme clusters were increased workload due to characteristics of dementia, increased mental stress, difficulty associated with playing a mediator role in addition to nursing duties, and lacking systematic support for dementia patient care. To reduce the workload and mental stress of nurses in dementia care, supportive measures appropriate for their occupational characteristics should be developed, based on workload estimates that account for the attributes of dementia patients.

Automated summary

The study identified that nurses caring for dementia patients face significant workloads and mental stress, in addition to difficulties in playing a mediator role and lack of systematic support. To reduce the burden on nurses, supportive measures tailored to their occupational characteristics should be developed based on workload estimates that consider the unique attributes of dementia patients.