Andrius Macas, Audrius Preikša

Abstract

Objective. To assess anaesthesiologists’ attitude towards continuation of inappropriate and inadequate treatment in intensive care units and to determine factors, related to the attitude of doctors. Materials and methods. The study was processed in Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Respondents of this study were anaesthesiologists, who work in the department of Anaesthesiology, department of Intensive Care and department of Cardiology. Descriptive and comparative statistical data analysis was processed with SPSS Statistics 17.0. Frequencies and cross tables of pre – selected variables were calculated and χ2 tests were performed to identify variables associated with the dependent variable doctors’ attitude towards continuation of inappropriate and inadequate treatment of patients in intensive care unit. Results. 100 anesthesiologists completed the questionnaire and were included in the study. 94 (94.0%) respondents think, that aspects related to continuation of inappropriate and inadequate treatment are topical and important to discuss. 24 (25.5%) of them stated, that they were involved in decision – making process regarding continuation of inappropriate and inadequate treatment of their relatives. 91 (91.0%) respondents stated, that juridical basis and guidelines, which would regulate and determine aspects, related to brain death and patient death, is essential. There was a statistically significant relationship between anaesthesiologists’ attitude towards continuation of inappropriate and inadequate treatment of patients and the department of the respondent (p=0.030), and frequency of conversation with patients’ relatives about patients’ brain death and withdrawal of inappropriate and inadequate treatment (p=0.009). Respondents’ gender, age, marital status or religion had no statistically significant influence on their attitude towards continuation of inappropriate and inadequate treatment of patients (p>0.050). Conclusions. Aspects, related to inappropriate and inadequate treatment in Intensive Care Units are topical. Juridical basis and guidelines, which would regulate and determine aspects, related to brain death and patient’s death is essential. More than two thirds of respondents, who work in the Department of Intensive Care, attitude towards continuation of inappropriate and inadequate treatment of patients was negative. Anaesthesiologists, who frequently consult patients’ relatives about patients’ brain death and withdrawal of inappropriate and inadequate treatment, tend to assess continuation of such treatment as negative.

Article in Lithuanian

doi:10.5200/sm-hs.2012.110

Keyword(s): inappropriate treatment in intensive care units
DOI: 10.5200/355
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