End-of-life Care in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Attitudes of Healthcare Workers towards caregivers

Abstract

Aim of the study: The aim of this research was to evaluate the attitude of Healthcare workers towards the care of the families of critically ill patients in the ICU, leading to the emergence of specific attitudes, relating them to their demographic and professional characteristics, with the aim of drawing conclusions for the improvement of quality in end-of-life care.

Material and Methods: The sample of the study was 53 conducted at Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi. Participants included doctors, nurses and medical assistants who completed the survey questionnaire. The questions are about ways in which healthcare workers can help the patient's family during the patient's stay in the ICU.

Results: The results revealed that the healthcare workers (doctors, nurses and medical assistants) took actions related to the informa­tion and psychological support of the patient's family. On the contrary, they did not focus on the spiritual / religious needs of the patient and the needs of the family based on their cultural background.

Conclusions: The professional treatment of healthcare works is characterized by compassion and empathy, but it is necessary to train them on important issues related to diversity, including the religious, spiritual values and beliefs of patients and their relatives.

Keywords: health professionals, family, death, communication, care, end of life care, intensive care unit, nurses