[Factors influencing Intensive Care Units nurses in end-of-life decisions]

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Medical Anthropology
• End-of-Life Care

Context:

• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting
• End-of-life decision-making scenarios
• Cultural and professional influences

Purpose:

• Identify factors impacting ICU nurse decision-making in end-of-life situations
• Explore the role of beliefs, experience, and humanization practices
• Understand nurse inclusion in end-of-life care decisions

Summary:

• Ethnographic case study with 10 nurses revealed four key themes: ICU cultural context, beliefs and subjectivity in care, professional experience, and humanization practices.
• Analysis highlighted the interplay between the unit's culture, personal beliefs, professional experience, and patient-centered care in end-of-life decisions.
• Nurses' professional maturity, communication skills, and negotiation abilities are crucial for effective participation in end-of-life decision-making.

Impact:

• Informs strategies to enhance nurses' role in end-of-life care
• Highlights the importance of professional development and supportive ICU environments
• Contributes to improved patient and family-centered care at the end of life