How Surrogate Decision-Makers for Patients With Chronic Critical Illness Perceive and Carry Out Their Role.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
OBJECTIVES: Family members commonly make medical decision for patients with chronic critical illness. This study examines how family members approach this decision-making role in real time. DESIGN: Qualitative analysis of interviews with family members in the intervention arm of a randomized controlled communication trial. SETTINGS: Medical ICUs at four U.S. hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Family members of patients with chronic critical illness (adults mechanically ventilated for ≥ 7 d and expected to remain ventilated and survive for ≥ 72 hr) who participated in the active arm of a communication intervention study. INTERVENTIONS: Family members participated in at least two content-guided, informational, and emotional support meetings led by a palliative care physician and nurse practitioner. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Grounded theory was used for qualitative analysis of 66 audio recordings of meetings with 51 family members. Family members perceived their role in four main ways: voice of the patient, advocate for the patient, advocate for others, and advocate for oneself. Their decision-making was characterized by balancing goals, sharing their role, keeping perspective, remembering previous experiences, finding sources of strength, and coping with various burdens. CONCLUSIONS: Family members take a multifaceted approach as they participate in decision-making. Understanding how surrogates perceive and act in their roles may facilitate shared decision-making among clinicians and families during critical care.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Li, L; Nelson, JE; Hanson, LC; Cox, CE; Carson, SS; Chai, EJ; Keller, KL; Tulsky, JA; Danis, M
Published Date
- May 2018
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 46 / 5
Start / End Page
- 699 - 704
PubMed ID
- 29462004
Pubmed Central ID
- 29462004
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1530-0293
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1097/CCM.0000000000003035
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States