Intensive care units (ICUs) present complex clinical decision-making scenarios.
Nurses in ICUs utilize both justified and unjustified clinical decisions.
Unjustified decisions are often termed 'gut-feelings' or intuition.
Purpose:
To analyze the concept of intuition in clinical decision-making.
To describe the characteristics of intuition through concept analysis.
To develop a theoretical definition of intuition for research purposes.
Summary:
Intuition in ICUs is effective for problem-solving, despite not always being justifiable.
Concept analysis revealed situational factors, process, and product characteristics of intuition.
Situational factors include knowledge, experience, empathy, and uncertainty; the process is speedy, holistic, and interpretive; the product involves problem-solving and reflection.
Impact:
Understanding intuition enhances clinical decision-making in high-pressure environments.
Provides a framework for studying and potentially training intuitive decision-making skills.
Contributes to a deeper understanding of the cognitive processes underlying expert nursing practice.