Advancing Critical Care Nursing in Oman: Trends, Challenges, and Educational Innovations

Abstract

Objective: This review critically examines the current state and challenges of adult critical care services in Oman, focusing on the need for skilled critical care nurses and their education.

Sources and Methods: A comprehensive review of existing literature and reports was conducted, including epidemiological studies, healthcare policy documents, and academic articles relevant to public health and critical care nursing in Oman. Data were compiled and interpreted to highlight key issues and propose recommendations.

Findings: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and trauma incidents, such as motor vehicle collisions, are major contributors to the demand for critical care services in Oman. The COVID-19 pandemic further strained the healthcare system, revealing critical shortages in both personnel and resources. The Adult Critical Care Nursing Program (ACCNP), established to address these needs, plays a crucial role in enhancing the competencies of critical care nurses. However, challenges such as a lack of senior faculty, limited clinical placement opportunities, insufficient advanced educational materials, and inadequate learning management systems hinder the program's effectiveness. Additionally, high nurse-to-patient ratios and the physical demands of ICU work contribute to stress and burnout among nurses.

Conclusion: To improve critical care services in Oman, it is essential to address the shortage of specialized faculty, expand clinical placement opportunities, invest in modern educational resources, and establish a comprehensive learning management system. Enhancing international collaboration and creating a robust regulatory framework will further support the development of a proficient and resilient critical care nursing workforce.

Adult Critical Care Nursing in Oman constitutes an essential element of the healthcare system, delivering care to patients with complex and frequently life-threatening diseases. Critical care, in contrast to other medical specialties, specifically focuses on the complex character of patients' situations, encompassing the extent of organ malfunction and the related mortality risks (Fu et al., 2022; Kayambankadzanja et al., 2022). Epidemiological research reveals that the prevalence of severe diseases is more extensive than previously acknowledged, a trend anticipated to continue as the population ages, especially given the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (James et al., 2018; Lai et al., 2018). This acknowledgment highlighted the necessity for significant investments in sophisticated critical care facilities.

Nurses represent the largest cohort of healthcare professionals worldwide, significantly contributing to the provision of essential care (Brimblecombe, 2023). Critical care nurses function in specialized technical settings exhibit advanced knowledge, proficiency, and competence in providing care for patients and their families (Woo et al., 2017). In response to the complexity of critical illnesses, these nurses are assigned to diverse critical care environments, encompassing Adult Intensive Care Units (AICU), Coronary Care Units (CCU), Post Coronary Care Units (PCCU), Post Cardiac Surgery Units (PCSU), Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Units (CTVSU), Neuro Intensive Care Units (NICU), Cardiac Catheterization Labs (CCL), and Burns Units (BU). Therefore, it is crucial for these professionals to have critical transferable abilities to operate effectively in these varied and challenging fields (Niu et al., 2023).

Ndirangu-Mugo et al. (2022) delineate the tasks of critical care nurses, highlighting their enhanced proficiency in critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, alertness, and prompt response. These qualities are crucial for managing high-intensity, clinically intricate situations. Critical care nurses are tasked with detecting, monitoring, and promptly addressing clinical deterioration using advanced body system evaluations and personalized therapy interventions based on priority needs. Moreover, they serve as essential members of multidisciplinary teams, especially in promoting patient-centered care and offering follow-up for terminally ill patients (Ndirangu-Mugo et al., 2022).

The Sultanate of Oman, located in the southeastern Arabian Peninsula, covers over 309,500 square kilometers and has a population surpassing 5.1 million, of which around 2.9 million are Omani nationals (National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), 2023). The predominant segment of the population is aged between 15 and 60 years, and the country reports a life expectancy of 77.2 years. The epidemiological landscape of Oman is swiftly shifting towards non-communicable diseases, with a rising prevalence of comorbidities such as Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases. This transition is primarily due to alterations in lifestyle and health behaviors. Moreover, motor vehicle collisions and their consequent injuries impose a substantial strain on the healthcare system (Annual Health Report, 2023). This article seeks to examine the present condition of adult critical care nursing practice in Oman and to analyze the competencies and faced by critical care nurses in specialized units.   Q