Nurses' perspectives on barriers to managing risk factors for mild cognitive impairment in older adults using a qualitative descriptive approach.

This study explores the experiences and challenges faced by clinical nurses in early identification and intervention of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) risk factors in older adults. This qualitative descriptive study was conducted between September 2020 and January 2021 in three tertiary hospitals in China. Thirteen clinical nurses were recruited through purposive sampling based on their experience with older adults having cognitive concerns. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews, and content analysis was used to identify key categories in the nurses' experiences. Three main categories emerged: (1) Navigating older adults' perceptions of aging and self, (2) Challenges in building therapeutic alliances with families, and (3) Facing limitations in translating intentions into practice. Nurses recognized the critical importance of early identification and intervention for MCI but expressed concerns about their limited knowledge and the practical feasibility of implementing interventions. Barriers included patients' reluctance to acknowledge MCI and their complex perceptions, lack of training and awareness, and insufficient support and resources from families. Findings suggest a need for tailored interventions, targeted education, and enhanced support systems to address these challenges and improve early MCI interventions.