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Reflections on the Concomitants of the Restrictive Visitation Policy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Ubuntu Perspective

Authors :
Fhumulani Mavis Mulaudzi
Rafiat Ajoke Anokwuru
Moselene A. R. Du-Plessis
Rachael T. Lebese
Source :
Frontiers in Sociology, Vol 6 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2022.

Abstract

Caregiving is a prominent concept in the Ubuntu philosophy, and caring and visitation of the sick is regarded as an example of Ubuntu. The restrictive visitation policy adopted in the hospitals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected the exhibition of this concept among patients, nurses, and families. The narrative inquiry was used to explore the reflections of the participants on the impact caused by the non-visitation policy experienced during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. The narrative inquiry approach allowed the participants to tell their story as it is unique to them. The study used purposive sampling technique to select five participants for the webinar. Three themes emerged from the narrated stories which are 1) moral anguish of the caregivers; 2) mental health instability, and 3) erosion of trust in health care practitioners (HCPs). The non-visitation hospital policy was intended to reduce the danger of spreading COVID-19 within and outside the hospital; however, the care provided was devoid of the values of Ubuntu such as mutual respect, relational, responsibility, reciprocity, and interconnectedness. In retrospect, a case-by-case application of the policy would reduce the non-desirable effect of the policy on the patients, nurses, and patients' family members.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22977775
Volume :
6
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Sociology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.6057e92b801742c5a00f9c2bb459cf55
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2021.769199