Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
I. J. Higginson, C. Rumble, C. Shipman, J. Koffman, K. E. Sleeman, M. Morgan, P. Hopkins, J. Noble, W. Bernal, S. Leonard, O. Dampier, W. Prentice, R. Burman, M. Costantini
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Anesthesiology |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 9 Feb 2016 |
The value of uncertainty_HIGGINSON_Accepted 1Feb2016_GOLD VoR
art_3A10.1186_2Fs12871_016_0177_2.pdf, 505 KB, application/pdf
8/03/2016
Final published version
CC BY
Background: With increasingly intensive treatments and population ageing, more people face complex treatment and care decisions. We explored patterns of the decision-making processes during critical care, and sources of conflict and resolution.
Methods: Ethnographic study in two Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in an inner city hospital comprising: non-participant observation of general care and decisions, followed by case studies where treatment limitation decisions, comfort care and/or end of life discussions were occurring. These involved: semi-structured interviews with consenting families, where possible, patients; direct observations of care; and review of medical records.
Results: Initial non-participant observation included daytime, evenings, nights and weekends. The cases were 16 patients with varied diagnoses, aged 19-87 years; 19 family members were interviewed, aged 30-73 years. Cases were observed for
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