Intensivists' perspectives on the quality of palliative care: a network analysis.

Abstract

Background: There are barriers to the practice of palliative care in intensive care units (ICUs) and cardiology, considering that these settings are designed with high technological resources aimed at cure.

Aims: To conduct a network analysis on the perceptions of medical professionals and nurses regarding the quality of palliative care provided in their ICU.

Methods: A cross-sectional network analysis study was conducted between October and December 2024 with intensivist nurses and physicians from five university hospitals in Brazil. The Palliative Care Quality Questionnaire for Intensive Care Units (QCP-UTI) was used.

Results: The items QCP-UTI 3 (investigating and respecting patient and/or family preferences regarding care and treatment goals), QCP-UTI 4 (communication with team members about the emotional needs of the patient and/or family), and QCP-UTI 6 (attention to the emotional and practical needs of patients in the terminal stages of illness and their families) showed greater closeness and higher betweenness centrality.

Conclusions: These factors share a common theme of defining goals and care objectives for end-of-life patients in intensive care. It can be concluded that these factors may be central to actions aimed at enhancing the quality of care provided, supporting organisational strategies, and establishing clear protocols and processes for such care.