Nurses’ Perceptions of Therapeutic Futility in Adult Patients Admitted to a General Intensive Care Unit
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12707/RVI25.9.40026Keywords:
perception, nurse, medical futility, patient, critical careAbstract
Background: Situations of therapeutic futility (TF) in intensive care units (ICUs) present challenges for nurses.
Objective: To explore nurses’ perceptions of TF in adult patients in a general ICU.
Methodology: A descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach was conducted with a purposive sample of 19 nurses. Data were collected using a questionnaire with both closed- and open-ended questions and analyzed according to Bardin’s content analysis method. All ethical and formal requirements were met.
Results: Nurses associated TF with diagnostic testing, invasive procedures, and intensive pharmacological interventions, which elicited feelings of anger and frustration. They identified the need to enhance communication, involve nurses in decision-making, develop protocols, and increase training in ICUs.
Conclusion: Negative emotions triggered by TF affect nurses’ experience of care management. To better manage these situations, this study presents strategies for improving ICU patients’ quality of life.
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