Experience of Life-sustaining Treatment in Patient Care among Intensive Care Unit Nurses: Phenomenological Approach / 기본간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the subjective experience of life-sustaining treatment care among nurses in intensive care units. METHODS: A phenomenology was used for the study. Data were collected from October to December, 2015 using open-ended questions during in-depth interviews. Participants were nurses working in intensive care units and were contacted through purposive techniques. Eight nurses participated in this study. RESULTS: Four categories emerged from the analysis using Colaizzi's method: (a) difficulties due to life-sustaining treatment care, (b) dilemma of extension or cessation of life-sustaining treatment, (c) repressed feelings and emotional exhaustion, and (d) forming values for life-sustaining treatment from nursing experience CONCLUSION: Provision of clearer guidelines on life-sustaining treatment which reflect a family-oriented culture is important for nurses in ICU and will promote nurses involvement in the decision-making process of life-sustaining treatment of patients.