A Concept Analysis of Trust Within the Surrogate Decision Maker to Health Care Professional Relationship in the Adult ICU Setting.

Abstract

Surrogate decision maker (SDM)-health care professional (HCP) trust is vital to the provision of high-quality care in the adult intensive care unit setting. This concept analysis, using Walker and Avant's methodology, examines the concept of SDM-HCP trust and provides a conceptual definition conducive to instrument development and future quantitative research into this topic. Trust in the SDM-HCP relationship exists on a spectrum and involves the voluntary placement of oneself into a position of vulnerability in relation to another party who is believed to have integrity, be reliable, and hold beneficent intent toward the truster.