Communication with mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units: A concept analysis

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to perform a concept analysis of communication with mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units and present a preliminary model for communication practice with these patients.

Design: The Im & Meleis approach for concept analysis guided the study.

Search methods: A literature search was performed in January 2022 in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, psycINFO and Scopus, limited to 1998-2022. The main medical subject headings search terms used were artificial respiration, communication and critical care. The search resulted in 10,698 unique references.

Review methods: After a blinded review by two authors, 108 references were included. Core concepts and terminology related to communication with mechanically ventilated patients were defined by content analytic methods. The concepts were then grouped into main categories after proposing relationships between them. As a final step, a preliminary model for communication with mechanically ventilated patients was developed.

Results: We identified 39 different phrases to describe the mechanically ventilated patient. A total of 60 relevant concepts describing the communication with mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care were identified. The concepts were categorized into five main categories in a conceptual map. The preliminary model encompasses the unique communication practice when interacting with mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units.

Conclusion: Highlighting different perspectives of the communication between mechanically ventilated patients and providers through concept analysis has contributed to a deeper understanding of the phenomena and the complexity of communication when the patients have limited possibilities to express themselves.

Impact: A clear definition of concepts is needed in the further development of guidelines and recommendations for patient care in intensive care, as well as in future research. The preliminary model will be tested further.

Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution, as this is a concept analysis of previous research.

Keywords: communication; concept analysis; critical care; literature review; non-verbal communication; nursing; patient comfort; quality of health care; social theory.