Older Spouses' Decision-Making on Intubation for Older Patients: A Qualitative Study

When older patients are intubated, their older spouses often play an important role in making difficult decisions to assist them. Therefore, this study was conducted to understand how older spouses experienced making decisions on intubation for older patients.

A descriptive qualitative design.

Fifteen participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were employed to interview participants. Data were analysed using the content analysis method.

Four themes identified were as follows: (1) Reasons for making decisions-believing in doctors' recommendation, enhancing the survival of older patients without suffering and performing intubation because of their love for, and attachment to, their spouse; (2) Consequences of decision-making-worry about the survival of older patients and effects of prolonged intubation, fear of signs of deterioration and complication, but happiness to see spouses' survival; (3) Requiring assistance-they required assistance from physicians, nurses and family members in decision-making for spouses with regards to intubation; and (4) Selected treatment-they selected treatments for older patients with utmost treatment, symptomatic treatment and avoidance of suffering.

Spouses of older patients were often eager to help choose treatments, including intubation, for them. However, they faced both positive and negative consequences in decision-making, which highlighted their need for assistance from healthcare professionals. These challenges resulted from a lack of knowledge and experience.

To address these challenges, basic information can be utilised to create a decision-making program that supports spouses of older patients in their choices in managing intubation for them.