Sources and symptoms of stress among nurses in the first Chinese anti-Ebola medical team during the Sierra Leone aid mission: A qualitative study

Liu, Chunzi; Wang, Huaming; Zhou, Lin; Xie, Hui; Yang, Huiyin; Yu, Yanbo; Sha, Huayan; Yang, Ying; Zhang, Xin

All of the nurses in this Sierra Leone aid mission had over 10 years of job experience and were in active military service. Most of them had been involved in urgent, difficult, and dangerous tasks, such as the fight against SARS, prevention and control of influenza A H1N1, aid to the earthquakes in Wenchuan and Haiti, and medical services during the Olympic Games. They had rich experience in treating, preventing, and isolating infectious diseases. However, working in an unfamiliar environment under unfamiliar working conditions was somewhat stressful. After arrival at the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital, this medical team spent a short period completing the adjustment training in all of the procedures. They also worked to obtain recognition and community support and to be responsive in relieving stress among team members.