Knowing the occasion of a peaceful death in intensive care units in Thailand

Nurs Health Sci. 2011 Mar;13(1):41-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2018.2011.00574.x.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe how nurses know the occasion of a peaceful death. The data were generated from individual in-depth interviews with ten nurses who practised in adult intensive care units in the southern region of Thailand. Using a content analysis method, four processes of knowing the occasion of a peaceful death were isolated. They were visual knowing, technological knowing, intuitive knowing, and relational knowing.The clinical implications of these processes provide opportunities for nurses to practise the best end-of-life care during a critical time in a patient's life.This study also strengthens cross-cultural nursing during end-of-life care in high-technology settings, such as the intensive care unit.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Death*
  • Buddhism
  • Comprehension*
  • Cultural Competency
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology*
  • Palliative Care / methods*
  • Perception
  • Qualitative Research
  • Right to Die*
  • Tape Recording
  • Thailand
  • Vision, Ocular