The four domains of the person-centred practice framework from the perspective of critical care nurses in intensive care units during a pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: The aim was to describe the Person-Centred Practice Framework's four domains (prerequisites, care environment, person-centred processes, and person-centred outcomes) through the perspectives of critical care nurses working in intensive care units during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the aim was to investigate the relationships between prerequisites, care environment, person-centred processes, and person-centred outcomes.

Design/methods: A cross-sectional study involving questionnaires. Prerequisites were measured using person-related conditions, the care environment by using the Person-Centred Climate Questionnaire-Staff version, the person-centred processes by using the Person-Centred Care Assessment Tool and person-centred outcomes were measured with one question about present health and well-being and by using Self-rated Exhaustion Disorder. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used. Data was collected from July 2021 to November 2021.

Setting: Critical care nurses (n = 217) working in 15 Swedish adult intensive care units.

Results: Participants' average length of experience in intensive care units was 14 years, and most participants experienced increased nursing care responsibilities. They perceived the climate as safe but had limitations in terms of its everydayness and community. Participants perceived the organisations both supported and hindered personalized care. Most participants experienced a variety of exhaustion symptoms, and their health had positive relationship with community.

Conclusion: By showing how prerequisites, care environment, person-centred process influences critical care nurses' health and well-being, organisations might identify aspects in the work environment that require targeted interventions to reach healthy workplaces.

Implications for clinical practice: To preserve the health and well-being of critical care nurses and to flourish as humans in their professional roles, they need to interact with and form relationships with their colleagues, patients, and relatives. Organisations should have a person-centred approach for every individual in the workforce to harness each critical care nurses' knowledge and skills for individuals to growth in their roles.

Keywords: COVID-19; Critical care nurses; Health; Intensive care; Person-centred practice framework; Well-being.