Communication Dynamics Between Healthcare Providers and Family Caregivers in Intensive Care Units: Implications for Clinical Decision-Making, Care Ethics, and The Quality of Nursing Practice at Yaoundé Central Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ijphn.v2i2.7055Keywords:
Care Ethics, Clinical Decision-Making, Communication Dynamics, Intensive Care Unit, Nursing PracticeAbstract
Effective communication between family caregivers and healthcare providers is critical in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), as family members serve as essential intermediaries for most patients. Communication barriers in Cameroon negatively impact not only ethical care but also the quality of nursing care within a community. Communication dynamics between family caregivers and healthcare providers at the ICU of Yaoundé Central Hospital were explored through this qualitative exploratory study to determine how communication practices influence clinical decision-making, ethics, and the quality of nursing care. This study used purposive sampling of twenty (20) participants from the four groups and utilized semi-structured interviews for data collection and thematic analysis to identify key findings. Results of this study indicate that due to workload, time constraints, emotional distress, and lack of formal communication guidelines, communication among healthcare providers and caregivers was frequently uncoordinated. Family caregivers reported limited opportunities to become involved in clinical decision-making, which decreased their level of trust and their ability to access ethical care. Nurses acted as the primary links to communication but often had unclear roles and received inadequate training in communication skills. Overall, family caregivers and nurses believe that effective communication will improve ethics of care, trustful relationships with family caregivers, and the quality of nursing care. In conclusion, communicating in a structured, interdisciplinary manner and providing ongoing training related to ethics and communication is essential to enhance ethical, family-centered, and quality care provided by nursing staff in the ICU setting.
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