Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40598520›Full record

ArticleBMC nursing2025

Experiences of providing end-of-life care in adult intensive care units: a qualitative study.

Dan-Dan Xu, Jin Li, Xin-Bo Ding, Jing Ma, Rui-Tong Hou, Na-Na Chen, Xiao-Lin Cheng, Fen Hu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Dan-Dan Xu *Department of Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
Jin Li *Department of Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
Xin-Bo Ding *Department of Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
Jing MaDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
Rui-Tong HouDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
Na-Na ChenDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
Xiao-Lin ChengDepartment of Nursing, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China. 83741082@qq.com.
Fen HuDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Research Center of Hubei Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China. hufen@znhospital.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo explore the perspectives and experiences of nurses providing end-of-life care in the intensive care units.

methodsThis study employed a descriptive phenomenological approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with 13 intensive care units' nurses from November 2023 to February 2024. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Colaizzi analysis to categorize and organize the data.

resultsWe categorized the findings into four themes: (1) Institutional constraints in end-of-life care, (2) Cultural-cognitive conflicts, (3) Communication breakdown and trust crisis, (4) Healing and resilience.

conclusionThis study provides an in-depth analysis of the key factors influencing the implementation of end-of-life care in intensive care units within the Chinese cultural context, highlighting the multidimensional challenges encountered. By meticulously analyzing barriers and facilitators, the study offers insights for effective resource utilization (division of labor within the medical team, balancing the intensity of medical interventions with patients' comfort needs) and targeted strategy development. Optimizing intensive care unit environments, enhancing cultural sensitivity education, promoting team collaboration, and providing emotional support for nurses are essential pathways to improving the effectiveness of end-of-life care in the intensive care units.

Indexed as

End-of-life careIntensive care unitsQualitative research

Identifiers

PMID40598520
PMCPMC12211952

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.