Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41615717›Full record

ArticleJMIR research protocols2026

Developing a Program Theory on Ventilator Weaning in Adult Intensive Care: Protocol for a Multimethods Study.

Fritz Sterr, Lydia Bauernfeind, Christian Rester, Sabine Metzing, Rebecca Palm

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR research protocols, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

5 authors.

Fritz SterrSchool of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-8185-319X
Lydia BauernfeindFaculty of Applied Healthcare Sciences, Deggendorf Institute of Technology, Deggendorf, Germany.ORCID 0009-0008-3227-7772
Christian ResterFaculty of Applied Healthcare Sciences, Deggendorf Institute of Technology, Deggendorf, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-4666-7954
Sabine MetzingSchool of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-4466-5672
Rebecca PalmSchool of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-4910-8413

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWorldwide, mechanical ventilation and ventilator weaning have been widely researched. Nevertheless, rates of weaning failure remain high. According to the Medical Research Council framework, ventilator weaning is a complex intervention. While there are various guidelines on this, there is no abstract theoretical understanding that organizes the interventions, outcomes, and their contexts.

objectiveThis study aims to explore the interconnectedness of interventions, outcomes, and context in ventilator weaning of adult intensive care patients.

methodsUsing the approach of Funnell and Rogers, we develop a program theory for ventilator weaning in a multimethod study comprising 2 main steps. First, 3 literature reviews on interventions and outcomes, predictors of weaning failure, and patients' experiences were triangulated with stakeholder conversations. Using abduction, we then developed an initial program theory. Second, the initial theory will be revised in an iterative process. To this end, semistructured group discussions and workshops will be conducted, followed by a deductive thematic analysis and adaptation of our theory. This process will be repeated until stakeholder statements and data analyses are congruent with the program theory.

resultsThe initial program theory developed in step 1 is presented in this protocol and serves as the basis for review and refinement in step 2. The results of this iterative process and the final program theory are expected in 2026.

conclusionsFollowing the Medical Research Council framework, a program theory on ventilator weaning will be developed in this study. This may enable a differentiated understanding of ventilator weaning and more sustainable and comprehensive research. The program theory emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of ventilator weaning and supports health care professionals in combining interventions appropriately and evaluating relevant outcomes.

trial registrationOpen Science Framework YGJ3T; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/YGJ3T. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/83342.

Indexed as

Critical CareProgram DevelopmentVentilator WeaningAdultHumansResearch DesignRespiration, Artificialartificial respirationcritical careintensive caremechanical ventilationprogram theorystudy protocolventilator weaning

Identifiers

PMID41615717
PMCPMC12905570

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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.