Nurse-Related Complexity of Care Perceived by Critical Care Nurses: A Multicentre Qualitative Study

Nurse-related complexity of care encompasses intrinsic elements derived from the professionals and their professional practice that influence the complexity of care delivery. These elements include aspects such as gender, professional experience, effective communication or the application of complex techniques, all of which play a significant role in shaping the complexity of nursing care.

To explore the nurses' perceptions of the complexity of care related to nursing professionals in adult intensive care units.

A multicentre qualitative descriptive study was conducted using focus group discussions from January to June 2024. Data were transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analysis. Trustworthiness was also ensured using Lincoln and Guba's criteria. Therefore, the current manuscript was reported following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist.

Five focus groups were conducted with 32 nurses from four different hospitals in Spain. Of them, 75% (n = 24) were women, and 25% (n = 8) were men. Participants had an average age of 42 years and 19 years of work experience. Four themes were identified: professional activity, professional background, multidisciplinary work and emotional management.

Nurses perceive the complexity of care as a multifaceted interplay of qualitative and quantitative elements. The study's findings, which highlight the influence of technological advances, years of experience, level of training and workload on this perception, are crucial for future efforts to improve the quality of care and the well-being of nurses.

Clarifying the complexity of care in intensive care units through nursing narratives will elucidate the key aspects that influence nurses' work. Assessing workload through this lens will facilitate holistic, patient-centred adjustments, enhance the quality of care and improve resource allocation.