Problems Experienced by Health Care Professionals with Do not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) Orders - A Qualitative Study

Hanna Kuusisto, Tapani Keränen, Kaija Saranto

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionScientificpeer-review

9 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

A 'Do Not Attempt Resuscitation' (DNAR) order is one of the most important yet difficult medical decisions. Despite the recent European guidelines, health care professionals (HCPs) in general perceive challenges in making a DNAR order. We aimed to evaluate the types of problems related to DNAR order making. A link to a web-based multiple-choice questionnaire including open-ended questions was sent by e-mail to all physicians and nurses working in the Tampere University Hospital special responsibility area covering a catchment area of 900,000 Finns. The questionnaire covered issues on DNAR order making, its meaning and documentation. Here we report the analysis of the open-ended questions, examined based on the Ottawa Decision Support Framework with expanded individual decisional needs categories. Qualitative data describing respondents' opinions (N=648) regarding problems related to DNAR order decision making were analysed using Atlas.ti 23.12 software. In total, 599 statements (phrases) dealing with inadequate advice, information, emotional support, and instrumental help were identified. Our results show that HCPs experience lack of support in DNAR decision making on multiple levels. Digital decision-making support integrated into electronic patient records (EPR) to assure timely and clearly visible DNAR orders could be beneficial.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTelehealth Ecosystems in Practice
PublisherIOS Press
Pages233-237
Number of pages5
Volume309
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-64368-451-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Oct 2023
Publication typeA4 Article in conference proceedings
EventEFMI Special Topic Conference - , Italy
Duration: 25 Oct 202327 Oct 2023

Publication series

NameStudies in health technology and informatics
ISSN (Print)0926-9630
ISSN (Electronic)1879-8365

Conference

ConferenceEFMI Special Topic Conference
Country/TerritoryItaly
Period25/10/2327/10/23

Keywords

  • decision-making support
  • decisional needs
  • DNAR order
  • electronic patient record
  • qualitative methods

Publication forum classification

  • Publication forum level 1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Health Informatics
  • Health Information Management

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Problems Experienced by Health Care Professionals with Do not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) Orders - A Qualitative Study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this