Intensive care nurses’ involvement in the end-of-life process – perspectives of relatives

Author:

Lind Ranveig1,Lorem Geir F2,Nortvedt Per3,Hevrøy Olav4

Affiliation:

1. University Hospital of Northern Norway, Norway

2. University of Tromsø, Norway

3. University of Oslo, Norway; Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Norway

4. Haukeland University Hospital, Norway

Abstract

In this article, we report findings from a qualitative study that explored how the relatives of intensive care unit patients experienced the nurses’ role and relationship with them in the end-of-life decision-making processes. In all, 27 relatives of 21 deceased patients were interviewed about their experiences in this challenging ethical issue. The findings reveal that despite bedside experiences of care, compassion and comfort, the nurses were perceived as vague and evasive in their communication, and the relatives missed a long-term perspective in the dialogue. Few experienced that nurses participated in meetings with doctors and relatives. The ethical consequences imply increased loneliness and uncertainty, and the experience that the relatives themselves have the responsibility of obtaining information and understanding their role in the decision-making process. The relatives therefore felt that the nurses could have been more involved in the process.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Issues, ethics and legal aspects

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