Intensive care nurses' experiences with brain-dead patients - a phenomenological qualitative study

Aim: This study explores nurses’ experiences of caring for (potentially) brain-dead patients. Design: A qualitative interpretative phenomenological design was chosen to describe the phenomenon in all its complexity and dimensions. Methods: In 2016, twelve episodic interviews were conducted with intensive care nurses from six wards. The interviews related to their experiences of caring for (potentially) brain-dead patients and were analyzed according to Benner’s Interpretative Phenomenology. Results: Three key phenomena were generated: 1) The brain is dead; the body is alive; 2) Coping within high performance medicine and 3) Power(-lessness). The participants’ experience was that caring for a (potentially) brain-dead patient and explaining brain death to the patient’s relatives is very demanding. In the intensive care unit, nurses are required to diligently provide exemplary methodical and routine care, most of the time without an outlet to relieve their own work-related burdens. In some situations, the interviewees felt powerless. Conclusion: The data collected have provided a deeper insight into the situation intensive care nurses face when caring for (potentially) brain-dead patients. Nevertheless, the authors recommend further research on all phenomena, and also the design of appropriate training and support for nurses.