Tomophobia and Professionalism among Nurses in Public Health Institutions in Anambra State

A study of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of Tomophobia on professionalism among nurses in public health institutions using Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Amaku, Anambra state as focus. A cross-sectional survey method was adopted for data gathering and supplemented by qualitative data, which was generated through review of literature. From a population of 185 the research sampled all the 130 nurses present during the 4 days field work for data gathering. SPSS version 20.0 tools were used for data analysis. The results of analysis reveal the prevalence of compassion fatigue and burnout, indifference to patients care, retarding zeal for work and apprehension, and retardıng interest for knowledge and more professional skills acquisition among the nurses due to tomophobic experiences. These tend to undermine general healthcare and successful surgeries. Among others, the paper recommends the employment of professional counsellors to address the rising tide of tomophobia, and quick adminıstrative response to nurses demands for the review of their conditions of service.