Between Compassion and Capacity: Intensive Care Units Nurses' Perceptions on Family-Centred Visiting in China

Family-centred visiting (FCV) has become an integral element of humane and holistic intensive care in many Western settings. However, its adoption in Chinese ICUs remains limited, and the perspectives of nurses, who are central to implementing visiting policies, are underexplored.

To explore ICU nurses' attitudes and perceptions towards FCV and identify impact factors influencing its potential implementation in China.

This study employed a descriptive qualitative design. Twenty ICU nurses were recruited through purposive sampling from a tertiary hospital in Hunan Province, China. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted between March and June 2024. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. The reporting followed COREQ guidelines.

Three overarching themes were identified: (1) balancing compassion and capacity, (2) the Family presence as a double-edged sword for patient care and (3) institutional and cultural constraints on family involvement. While nurses acknowledged FCV's emotional benefits, they expressed concern about increased workload, infection risk and blurred professional boundaries. Their attitudes were strongly shaped by hierarchical institutional norms and Confucian values, which both encourage filial duty and reinforce deference to medical authority.

ICU nurses' ambivalence towards FCV reflects a complex interplay of professional, institutional and cultural factors. Culturally sensitive training, policy reform and pilot programmes could support the gradual implementation of flexible visiting practices.

Findings highlight the need for context-adapted FCV models that balance humanised care with safety and capacity, empowering nurses as key facilitators of family engagement.