Perspectives and Challenges of Family Members in Providing Mental Support to Cancer Patients:A Qualitative Study in Beijing,China

This study explores the perspectives and challenges faced by family members providing mental support to cancer patients in Beijing,China.The primary objective is to understand the emotional and practical roles family members undertake and the difficulties they encounter.Utilizing a qualitative research design,data were collected through semi-structured interviews with family caregivers of cancer patients.Thematic analysis revealed several key themes:the dual burden of emotional support and caregiving responsibilities,the impact on daily life and personal well-being,the role and effectiveness of external support systems,perceptions of medical staff support,and the common challenges and conflicts faced in caregiving.The findings highlight the critical need for comprehensive support systems that address both the emotional and practical needs of family caregivers.Recommendations for enhancing family-centered support programs in oncology settings are discussed.

Facilitating and hindering factors of community nurses'emergency and critical care treatment abilities:A qualitative study

BACKGROUND This study adopts a descriptive phenomenological approach to investigate the facilitators and barriers of community nurses'abilities in managing critical and emergency conditions.With the transition of healthcare systems to the community,the evolution of nursing practices,and the attention from policies and practices,community nurses play a crucial role in the management of critical and emergency conditions.However,there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the factors that promote or hinder their capabilities in this area.AIM To understand the facilitators and barriers of community nurses in managing critical and emergency conditions,exploring the fundamental reasons and driving forces influencing their treatment capabilities.METHODS This study utilized the destination sampling method between May 2023 and July 2023.It employed a descriptive phenomenological approach within qualitative research methodologies.Through objective sampling,17 community nurses from 7 communities in Changning District,Shanghai,were selected as the study subjects.Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data,which were subsequently organized and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step analysis method,leading to the extraction of final themes.RESULTS The barrier factors identified from the interviews encompassed three topics:resource allocation,professional factors,and personal literacy.The facilitators comprised three themes:professionalism,management attention,and training and continuing education.We identified that the root causes of the barriers included the lack of practical treatment experience among community nurses,insufficient awareness of self-directed learning,and limited knowledge and technical proficiency.The professional quality of community nurses and management attention serve as motivation for them to enhance their treatment abilities.CONCLUSION To enhance the capability of community nurses in treating acute and critical patients,it is recommended to bolster training specifically tailored to acute and critical care,raise awareness of first aid practices,and elevate knowledge and skill levels.

Core competencies and perceived training needs of nurses in the background of Internet plus nursing service:a qualitative descriptive study

Background:The Internet plus nursing service program is being piloted in China,which has become a new home nursing service model led by nurses.To enable safe and effective homecare service delivery,nurses working in the program need a high level of competency.However,the content of these core competencies and the training needs of nurses for Internet plus nursing services are still unknown.Aim:To describe nurses’perceptions of core competencies and training needs to work in the Internet plus nursing service program,thereby providing a reference for the development of training programs.Methods:A qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews was conducted on 15 nurses with experience of working in the Internet plus nursing service program.Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim,and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results:Core competencies involved comprehensive assessment competence,direct care practice competence,health education and consulting competence,risk estimation and response competence,and communication competence.Training needs involved complex operational items,knowledge of chronic disease management,professional communication,risk identification and response,nursing standards,norms,and procedures,and utilization of information technology.Conclusions:The training system may be developed based on nurses’core competencies and their training needs to promote professional development of the Internet plus nursing service.

Perceptions and factors influencing exercise interventions in elderly patients with debilitating spinal surgery and healthcare professionals:A qualitative study

BACKGROUND Older spine surgery patients have a high incidence of debilitation,which can be managed with certain exercises.AIM To investigate the current status and influencing factors related to the knowledge of exercise intervention among patients and professionals.METHODS Descriptive research methods were used to classify and summarize patients and professionals’perceptions and factors affecting exercise interventions.Data were analysed using the Colaizzi seven-step analysis method to distill and refine themes.RESULTS A total of 7 themes were identified:(1)The current status of patients'exercise is unsatisfactory;(2)patients'health literacy is low,coupled with a lack of social and family support;(3)there are numerous challenges with systematic exercise interventions;(4)healthcare professionals acknowledge the importance and need for exercise interventions;(5)there's a pronounced willingness among patients to participate in exercise intervention programs;(6)healthcare professionals believe that exercise interventions are beneficial;and(7)participants offered invaluable insights and suggestions on perioperative exercise during spinal surgery.CONCLUSION To investigate the current status and influencing factors related to the knowledge of exercise intervention among patients and the related healthcare professionals to provide a reference for the construction of exercise management programs for these patients.

Unveiling the challenges encountered by newly graduated nurses during night shifts:A descriptive qualitative study

Objectives:Newly graduated nurses commence night shifts during a phase of heightened vulnerability to reality shock,exacerbating the challenges faced by these graduates.Therefore,this study aimed to identify the challenges experienced by newly graduated nurses when undertaking night shifts in order to help identify a strategy for supporting their adaptation to these shifts.Methods:Semi-structured personal interviews were used to collect data.Fifteen newly graduated nurses were selected to participate in the study by purposive sampling method from November 2021 to March 2022 in one of four general hospitals situated in the southwestern region of Japan.Semi-structured interviews were analyzed by using thematic analysis.Results:The analysis revealedfive central themes and nine subthemes:challenges in task efficiency(task organization challenges,challenges in time-constrained task performance),challenges in responding to patients’changing conditions(challenges in responding to patients’irregular conditions,challenges in responding to nighttime changes in patients’behaviors),challenges in independent practice(challenges in engaging in independent nursing practice,challenges in dealing with unexpected events),challenges in establishing collaborative relationships(challenges in working closely with other staff,challenges in establishing collaborative relationships during night shifts with limited resources),challenges in adapting to shift work(challenges in managing physical conditions for shift work).Conclusions:Newly graduated nurses often encounter challenges in performing their tasks during the transition period.When working night shifts,they face additional hurdles unique to nocturnal duties.Thefindings underscore the necessity for these graduates to develop night shift-specific readiness to effectively navigate the demands inherent in such work schedules.

Nurse anesthetists’perceptions and experiences of managing emergence delirium:A qualitative study

BACKGROUND This study employs a descriptive phenomenological approach to investigate the challenges anesthesia nurses face in managing emergence delirium(ED),a common and complex postoperative complication in the post-anesthesia care unit.The role of nurses in managing ED is critical,yet research on their understanding and management strategies for ED is lacking.AIM To investigate anesthetic nurses’cognition and management experiences of ED in hopes of developing a standardized management protocol.METHODS This study employed a descriptive phenomenological approach from qualitative research methodologies.Purposeful sampling was utilized to select 12 anesthetic nurses from a tertiary hospital in Shanghai as research subjects.Semi-structured interviews were conducted,and the data were organized and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step analysis method,from which the final themes were extracted.RESULTS After analyzing the interview content,four main themes and eight subthemes were distilled:Inefficient cognition hinders the identification of ED(conceptual ambiguity,empirical identification),managing diversity and challenges(patientcentered safe care,low level of medical-nursing collaboration),work responsibilities and pressure coexist(heavy work responsibilities,occupational risks and stress),demand for high-quality management(expecting the construction of predictive assessment tools and prevention strategies,and pursuing standardized management processes to enhance management effectiveness).CONCLUSION Nursing managers should prioritize the needs and suggestions of nurses in order to enhance their nursing capabilities and provide guidance for standardized management processes.

Bowel preparation experiences and needs before follow-up colonoscopy in older adult postoperative colorectal cancer patients: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND The bowel preparation process prior to colonoscopy determines the quality of the bowel preparation,which in turn affects the quality of the colonoscopy.Colono-scopy is an essential procedure for postoperative follow-up monitoring of colorec-tal cancer(CRC)patients.Previous studies have shown that advanced age and a history of colorectal resection are both risk factors for inadequate bowel prepara-tion.However,little attention has been paid to the bowel preparation experiences and needs of predominantly older adult postoperative CRC patients.AIM To explore the experiences and needs of older adult postoperative CRC patients during bowel preparation for follow-up colonoscopy.METHODS Fifteen older adult postoperative CRC patients who underwent follow-up colonoscopy at a tertiary hospital in Shanghai were selected using purposive sampling from August 2023 to November 2023.The phenomenological method in qualitative research was employed to construct an interview outline and conduct semi-structured interviews with the patients.Colaizzi's seven-step analysis was utilized to organize,code,categorize,summarize,and verify the interview data.RESULTS The results of this study were summarized into four themes and eight sub-themes:(1)Inadequate knowledge about bowel preparation;(2)Decreased physiological comfort during bowel preparation(gastrointestinal discomfort and sleep deprivation caused by bowel cleansing agents,and hunger caused by dietary restrictions);(3)Psychological changes during different stages of bowel preparation(pre-preparation:Fear and resistance due to previous experiences;during preparation:Irritation and helplessness caused by taking bowel cleansing agents,and post-preparation:Anxiety and worry while waiting for the colonoscopy);and(4)Needs related to bowel preparation(detailed instructions from healthcare professionals;more ideal bowel cleansing agents;and shortened waiting times for colonoscopy).CONCLUSION Older adult postoperative CRC patients'knowledge of bowel preparation is not adequate,and they may encounter numerous difficulties and challenges during the process.Healthcare professionals should place great emphasis on providing instruction for their bowel preparation.

Cohort study on the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer with integrated Chinese and western medicine

BACKGROUND Patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC)have a low incidence rate,poor biological activity,suboptimal response to conventional treatments,and a poor prognosis.In the previous cohort study on mCRC conducted by our team,it was observed that integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment could significantly prolong the overall survival(OS)of patients with colorectal cancer.Therefore,we further explored the survival benefits in the population with BRAF V600E mutant mCRC.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.METHODS A cohort study was conducted on patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer admitted to Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2016 to December 2022.The patients were divided into two cohorts.RESULTS A total of 34 cases were included,with 23 in Chinese-Western medicine cohort(cohort A)and 11 in Western medicine cohort(cohort B).The median overall survival was 19.9 months in cohort A and 14.2 months in cohort B,with a statistically significant difference(P=0.038,hazard ratio=0.46).The 1-3-year survival rates were 95.65%(22/23),39.13%(9/23),and 26.09%(6/23)in cohort A,and 63.64%(7/11),18.18%(2/11),and 9.09%(1/11)in cohort B,respectively.Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant differences in median OS between the two cohorts in the right colon,liver metastasis,chemotherapy,and first-line treatment subgroups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Integrated Chinese and Western medicine can prolong the survival and reduce the risk of death in patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer,with more pronounced benefits observed in patients with right colon involvement,liver metastasis,combined chemotherapy,and first-line treatment.

A qualitative study on nurses'reactions to inpatient suicide in a general hospital

Aims:To explore the impact of inpatient suicides on nurses working in front-line,the patterns of regulation and their needs for support.Methods:Data were collected through purposive sampling by conducting semi-structured and individual in-depth interviews in a tertiary referral hospital in China.Colaizzi's sevenstep phenomenological method was simultaneously used by two interviewers.Results:Reactions to inpatient suicides revealed three central themes:(1)inpatients were highly likely to commit suicide,(2)inpatient suicide was difficult to prevent,and(3)nurses lacked the necessary suicide prevention skills.Psychological responses mainly included shock and panic,self-accusation or guilt,sense of fear,and frustration.The impacts on practice were stress,excessive vigilance,and burnout.Avoidance and sharing of feelings played key roles in the regulation patterns of nurses.Conclusions:Nurses who experienced inpatient suicide became stressed.Effective interventions must be implemented to improve the coping mechanisms of nurses against the negative consequences of inpatient suicide.The findings of this study will allow administrators to gain insight into the impacts of inpatient suicides on nurses in general hospitals.Such information can be used to develop effective strategies and provide individual support and ongoing education.Consequently,nurses will acquire suicide prevention skills and help patients achieve swift recovery.

The process of life adjustment in patients at onset of glioma who are receiving continuous oral anticancer drug: A qualitative descriptive study

Objective: Patients with malignant gliomas have to adjust their daily lives because of the threat of impending death and declining abilities.Thus,clarifying the process of life adjustment in such patients would help them lead a normal life.To clarify the process of life adjustment in patients at the onset of glioma,who continuously receive oral anticancer drug.Methods: The study institution consisted of two designated cancer centers.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 patients,and the data were analyzed using the Modified Grounded Theory Approach of Kinoshita (M-GTA).Results: As a core category representing the process of life adjustment in patients at the onset of glioma,"trials and errors for self-fulfillment even in a limited lifespan" was extracted.Patients began "seeking information about the unfamiliar life-threatening disease," and "imaging their uncertain lives after the disease and the resulting disability" while "conducting repeated trials and errors to establish coping methods according to their abilities." When facing difficulties in such trials and errors,they reported "losing self-confidence due to unexpected limitations." However,they regulated their feelings by "resigning themselves to their unchangeable reality." Contrarily,as "functional improvement enhanced their motivation to recover," they attempted to promote functional recovery and organized their daily lives in "fulfilling their desires in their limited lifespan." Conclusion: The process of life adjustment in patients with malignant gliomas involved identifying a way of living despite limited lifespan.To ensure appropriate nursing care for patients at the onset of glioma,it is important to help them establish coping methods in accordance with their abilities.

Exploring Barriers to Implementation of Smoking Policies: A Qualitative Study on Health Professionals from Three County-Level Hospitals

Objective This study was to identify factors limiting the implementation of smoking policies in county-level hospitals. Methods We conducted qualitative interviews （17 focus groups discussions and 6 one-to-one in depth interviews） involving 103 health professionals from three target county-level hospitals. A combination of purposive and convenience sampling was used to recruit subjects and gain a broad range of perspectives on issues emerging from ongoing data-analysis until data saturation occurred. The transcripts were analyzed for themes and key points. Results The main themes that emerged suggested that both smokers and non-smokers viewed smoking very negatively. However, it was clear that, underlying this acceptance of the health risks of smoking, there was a wide range of beliefs. Most of the health professionals pointed out that, as smoking was legal, addictive, and influenced by social norms, currently it was almost unrealistic to expect all smokers to give up smoking or not to smoke in the hospitals. Furthermore, they were concerned about the potentially detrimental effects of providing counseling advice to all smokers on the interpersonal relationship among colleagues or between doctors and patients. In addition, low level of employee participation influenced the sustainable implementation of smoking policies. Conclusions Simply being aware of the health risks about smoking did not necessarily result in successful implementation of the smoking policies. Application of comprehensive intervention strategies such as implementing smoking policies in public places at the county level, creating supportive environments, promoting community participation, and conducting health education, may be more effective.

Perceptions of nurses in Japan toward their patients' expectations of care: A qualitative study

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate ideal nurse involvement based on the expectations of patients.Data on conflicts between nurses and patients were obtained.The patient situation involved standard nursing treatment,rather than acute phase or palliative care.Methods: Questionnaires were distributed among senior nurses attending a series of trainings in 2012 and 2013.The nurses were requested to return their completed questionnaires within two weeks.We ensured the effectiveness of the interview process to obtain accurate answers.The sample comprised 240 head nurses and assistant head nurses who were asked to respond anonymously to 57 questions about non-acute (stable) psychiatric or physical nurse-patient scenarios.Qualitative data analysis was conducted using these responses.Results: We received 41 completed responses (response rate =17.1%).The expectations of patients and their families were reflected in five categories,namely,inference,empathic understanding,listening attitude,individual treatment,and reliable skills and explanations.Inference was independently categorized as a particularly strong characteristic of Japanese patients' expectations.Conclusions: Nursing care in situations where conflicts or misunderstandings may arise can be improved by encouraging nurses to be attentive to the moods,feelings,and expectations of patients and their families.The findings from this study can improve the quality of Japanese nursing care with regard to sensing (inferring) and reacting to the expectations of patients.

Parents' experience of caring for children with type 1 diabetes in China's Mainland: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND Parents of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)are under heavy caregiving stress,and parental caregivers'experience can affect the health outcomes of children with T1DM.AIM To describe the true inner feelings of parents caring for children with T1DM.METHODS Descriptive research methods were used to classify and summarize parents'experience when adapting to the role of caregivers for children with T1DM.The data was sorted and analyzed using content analysis.Themes of parents'experience caring for children with T1DM were refined,and their feelings were deeply investigated.RESULTS A total of 4 themes and 12 subthemes were identified:(1)Desire for information(disease-related information,home care information,and channels of information acquisition);(2)Skill guidance needs(insulin injection techniques,skills required for symptom management,and skills for parent-child communication);(3)Seeking emotional support(family support,peer support from other parents of children with T1DM,and professional support);and(4)Lack of social support(needs for financial support and needs for social security).Exploring the true experience of parents caring for children with T1DM is of great significance for helping them adapt to their role as caregivers.Nurses should provide professional guidance in terms of information,skills,emotion,and social support to parental caregivers.

Prioritization of factors related to mental health of women during an earthquake:A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: According to the fact that women account for the highest rate of victims of mental health loss during disasters, prioritization of their requirements is of remarkable signifi cance. Therefore, the present study was carried out with the aim to prioritize factors related to women's mental health during an earthquake. METHODS: This study was conducted using the Delphi method in 2017. Participants consisted of experts including psychologists, counselors and psychiatrists, social medicine specialists, and psychiatric-mental health nurses with experience in service and disaster awareness, especially earthquake. They were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. The Delphi method was used in 2 rounds with 21 components and the fi nal attendance of 19 participants and the collective agreement of 75%. RESULTS: Of the 21 factors related to women's mental health during the earthquake, the following components were, respectively, preferred by the participants: psychological well-being training, group relationships and support of women in emergency situations, fair treatment in the provision of rights and services to women, crisis awareness and management of behavior and diffi cult conditions, and social security during disasters with the total mean standard deviation (SD) of 13.4 (2.4), 13.0 (2.4), 12.7 (2.5), 12.5 (2.4), and 12.3 (2.2), respectively. CONCLUSION: Training in the fi eld of psychology and disasters, and social and cultural factors were prioritized among factors related to women's mental health during an earthquake. Therefore, the results of this study can be applied by the planners and executives of mental health, women and disasters, and the women's community itself.

Struggling to live a new normal life among Chinese women after losing an only child:A qualitative study

Objectives:Losing an only child is a life-altering event that destroys Chinese women’s lives and health in several dimensions.However,there is no unified theory exists to guide nursing practice.This study aimed to discover the substantive theory of how Chinese women live with the loss of their only child.Methods:This qualitative study used the grounded theory method.Purposive sampling,snowball sampling,and theoretical sampling were used to recruit participants.Saturated data from the in-depth interview,observation,and field notes with 13 Chinese women who have lost an only child in Southwest China were analyzed using the constant comparative method concurrently supplemented by the ATLAS.ti program,memo writing,and diagramming.Findings:Struggling to live a new normal life among Chinese women after losing an only child emerged as the substantive theory.It consists of three phases:living in agony,coming to terms,being alive in a new way.Receiving support motivated them to deal with such a loss.However,it brought them back to the previous phase(s)whenever they encountered adverse triggering situations.Therefore,they moved back and forth between these phases.The findings also illustrated that this process was profoundly affected by Chinese culture and personal beliefs.Conclusions:This substantive theory may guide nursing practice based on understanding the living process by working through the three phases.It would help develop a professional care plan recognizing individual diversity and incorporating socio-cultural and religious knowledge to effectively support women to deal with the loss of an only child.

Progressive exhaustion:A qualitative study on the experiences of Iranian family caregivers regarding patients undergoing hemodialysis

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the burden of care for patients undergoing hemodialysis from the experiences of family caregivers.Methods:In this qualitative study,a content analysis approach was used for data collection and analysis.Participants were 16 family caregivers selected through purposive sampling from four medical education centers affiliated with Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences,Iran.Semi-structured interviews were held to collect data.Results:Four categories were developed as follows:‘care challenges’,‘psychological vulnerabilities’,‘the chronic nature of care’and“care in the shade”.The categories led to the development of the main theme of‘progressive exhaustion’experienced by the family caregivers during the provision of care to patients undergoing hemodialysis.Conclusion:Family caregivers have a significant role in the process of patient care,and this role leads them to progressive exhaustion;therefore,the overall health of the caregivers should be taken into account and more attention should be paid to their quality of life,social welfare,and satisfaction level.

Resilience in new nurses:a qualitative study

Objectives:To explore the resilience experience of new nurses and how new nurses develop and apply resilience strategies to cope with the difficulties during the transition period.Methods:A descriptive qualitative research method was on data acquired using data semi-structured interviews with 12 new nurses aged 20-26 years whose working time was more than 12 months but less than 24 months.Results:Analysis of the data could determine participants adopting resilience strategies to withstand difficulties and challenges in transition period.This period consisted of three main phases:"self-protection,""undertaking challenges,"and"planning future."The first-line nurse managers'feedback and flexible shift scheduling paid a vital part in promoting the resilience development of new nurses.Conclusions:Recognizing the importance of understanding and developing the resilience of new nurses in the transition period could greatly reduce the turnover rate and alleviate the shortage of nurses in global nursing workforce.

Physicians’Perspectives of Informed Consent for Medical Procedures:A Qualitative Interview Study

This work is based on an on-going research on medical informed consent in Papua New Guinea(PNG)with 19 doctors from hospitals,health care centers and private medical establishments in the National Capital District and Central Province who voluntarily participated in the study.The authors conducted an examination of doctors’understanding of informed consent for medical procedures through a qualitative interview study and we describe our findings.We saw a need to involved patients in decision-making about their care,ethical imperative and concerns about litigation and their complaints highlighted the issue of informed consent.In order for the patients to make an informed decision about medical procedure,the doctors involved in the proposed treatment should conduct the informed consent discussion.The discussion should include the treatment,the risks and benefits of treatment,and alternative therapies with associated risks and benefits.We studied doctors’perspectives of gaining informed consent for routine medical procedures.We used qualitative study methods using structured interviews selected by purposive sampling.The data collected were entered into a data base and were analyzed thematically.The discussion is based on review of legal decisions,commentaries and our personal experience in studying medical malpractice cases.We have utilized case reports and several informative writings that have appeared in the world literature,as well as selections from vast amounts of material available in USA,UK,Australia,India and PNG.The current informed consent processes do not appear to be ideal for many doctors in PNG.In particular,there are inhibiting factors that affect patients from making medical informed decisions,doctors find time not enough to run discussions on informed consent,Department of Health does not have a standard informed consent form,patients complain about no consent form,and they have not signed consent forms.These are but some issues that affect patients when trying to make informed decisions.We say that informed consent process flows from the relationship between doctor and patient,however when this does not occur,serious legal and ethical consequences may result.This report is not intended to be specific advice on any private legal matter.

Why pregnant women delay to initiate and utilize free antenatal care r service:a qualitative study in the Southern District of Mzimba,Malawi

Aim:The study aimed to explore factors related to the initiation and utilization of focused antenatal care(FANC)in the Southern District of Mzimba,Malawi.Methods:This study used an exploratory qualitative design.Total of 22 in-depth interviews with pregnant women and community midwife assistants were conducted from December 2015 to January 2016 in Mzimba.Thematic analysis approach was adopted to identify the facilitator and harriers of the FANC initiation and utilization.Results:Facilitator of FANC initiation and utilization included seeking pregnancy confirmation,medical treatment for an existing health problem and the support by community health extension workers.Barriers included the additional cost to free FANC service,lack of essential equipment,unfriendly adolescent reproductive health service,and HIV stigma.Conclusion:Early initiation of FANC relies on both woman’s awareness and community support.Promoting the use of FANC should focus on creating an enabling environment,e.g.,increasing investment of essential medical equipment,reducing additional costs of FANC services,eliminating the discrimination against adolescent pregnancy and people living with HIV,and strengthening health personnel’s training.

Patient tracking in earthquake emergency response in Iran： A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: After a disaster, all victims have to be rapidly and accurately identified for locating, tracking and regulating them. The purpose of this study was to summarize people's experiences that how the patients were tracked in past earthquake disasters in Iran.METHODS: A qualitative study was carried out in 2015. This was an interview-based qualitative study using content analysis. The interviewed people included physicians, nurses, emergency medical technicians, disaster managers, Red Crescent Society' first responders and managers. Participants were identified using a snow ball sampling method. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, coded, and entered into MAXQDA(version 10) for coding and content analysis.RESULTS: Three main themes and seven categories including content(recoding data), function(identification of victims, identification of the deceased, informing the patients' relatives, patients' evacuation and transfer, and statistical reporting), technology(the state of using technology) were identifi ed that showed the patient tracking status in past earthquakes in Iran.CONCLUSION: Participants believed that to identify and register the data related to patients or the dead, no consistent action plan was available. So developing a consistent patient tracking system could overcome this issue and improve patient safety.