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Intensive care nurses’ experiences of caring for obese intensive care patients: A hermeneutic study

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  • Nastasja Robstad
  • Ulrika Söderhamn
  • Liv Fegran

Abstract

Aims and objectives To obtain a deeper understanding of qualified intensive care nurses’ experiences of caring for obese patients in intensive care. Background Admission of obese patients with complex healthcare needs to intensive care units is increasing. Caring for obese critically ill patients can be challenging and demanding for the intensive care nurse because of the patients’ weight, critical situation and physical challenges. There is a gap in knowledge at present about qualified intensive care nurses’ experiences of caring for obese patients in intensive care units. Design A qualitative hermeneutic approach. Method The study took place in 2016 at intensive care units of two different hospitals. Semi‐structured individual interviews were conducted with 13 qualified intensive care nurses. The interviews were analysed according to a Gadamerian‐inspired research method. Results Intensive care nurses perceived caring for obese intensive care patients as emotionally demanding owing to these patients’ vulnerability, dissimilarity and physical challenges compared to normal weight patients. They experienced ambivalent feelings caring for these patients: while they endeavoured to provide good and equal care to all patients, they simultaneously held negative beliefs and attitudes towards obese patients. Furthermore, frustration arose among the intensive care nurses relating to the physically demanding care situations and an unwillingness to care for such patients among some colleagues. Conclusion The qualified intensive care nurses’ experiences of caring for obese patients revealed ambivalent feelings, attitudes and beliefs towards these patients, which must be considered in intensive care unit practice as well as in the education of these nurses. Relevance to clinical practice The results have implications for clinical practice with respect to increasing intensive care nurses’ awareness of their attitudes and beliefs towards obese intensive care patients and to improve the education of these nurses.

Suggested Citation

  • Nastasja Robstad & Ulrika Söderhamn & Liv Fegran, 2018. "Intensive care nurses’ experiences of caring for obese intensive care patients: A hermeneutic study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(1-2), pages 386-395, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:27:y:2018:i:1-2:p:386-395
    DOI: 10.1111/jocn.13937
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gunn von Krogh & Dagfinn Nåden, 2011. "The use of hermeneutic interpretation statements in EPR documentation to capture qualities of caring," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(23‐24), pages 3523-3531, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. João Lindo Simões & Pedro Sa‐Couto & Carlos Jorge Simões & Cátia Oliveira & Neuza Maia dos Santos & José Mateus & Carlos Pires Magalhães & Matilde Martins, 2021. "Nursing workload assessment in an intensive care unit: A 5‐year retrospective analysis," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(3-4), pages 528-540, February.

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