Intensive Care Unit Nurses’ Interactions with Unconscious Patients: An Ethnographic Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21678836Keywords:
nurse- patient interaction, unconscious patients, critical care nurses, patient rights, patient space, patient boundaries, nurse patient relationship, ethnographyAbstract
Unconscious patients in critical care units are often unable to communicate, placing them in a vulnerable position and making effective nurse-patient interaction essential for addressing their needs and alleviating their suffering. This study aimed to explore ICU nurses' interactions with unconscious patients using an ethnographic design. The research was conducted in a major private hospital in Amman, Jordan, where data were collected through participant observation and face-to-face interviews with 13 nurses caring for unconscious patients over two shifts between February and the end of March 2018. Findings revealed that nurse-patient interactions were generally inadequate and focused primarily on meeting patients' physical needs while neglecting their psychological and spiritual needs. The study also found that unconscious patients were often treated as disembodied individuals, resulting in violations of many of their rights. Interviews with nurses identified several factors contributing to these shortcomings, highlighting the need to improve the quality of care in intensive care units. The study concludes that holistic care is essential for unconscious patients and emphasizes that communication and interaction are fundamental responsibilities of ICU nurses. It recommends strengthening nurses' communication and interaction skills through continuous education and increased awareness of the rights of unconscious patients to promote more comprehensive and patient-centered care.
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