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Familial Roles in Surrogate Decision-Making for Mechanically Ventilated Patients in the Respiratory Intensive Care
Lumeng Wang1, Qiuping Wu1, Wenjuan Han1
1The Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Nursing in Critical Care
|October 22, 2025
Summary
Family members face complex decisions when patients require mechanical ventilation in intensive care units. Understanding their emotional, social, and personal factors is crucial for better support.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Medical Sociology
- Qualitative Health Research
Background:
- Mechanical ventilation decisions are complex for Chinese families.
- Alternative decision-makers face numerous influencing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore family members' experiences with mechanical ventilation proxy decisions.
- Focus on experiences within respiratory intensive care units (RICU).
Main Methods:
- Phenomenological study design.
- Semi-structured interviews with 12 family members.
- Colaizzi seven-step analysis and NVIVO 12.0 software.
Main Results:
- Three themes emerged: complex emotions (hopes, fears), socio-cultural influences (filial piety, good death), and personal factors (cost, knowledge, communication).
- Decision-making involves balancing expectations, societal norms, and personal circumstances.
Conclusions:
- Family members experience a decision-making dilemma regarding mechanical ventilation.
- Findings can inform intensive care nurses to support patients and families better.
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