The intersection of technology and care in the ICU.
In this article the author describes the paradoxical nature of the relationship between technology and care in the ICU. Although technology enhances care by expanding the repertoire of competent nurses' responses to the patient, it simultaneously alienates nurse and patient, hence inhibiting care. This occurs when nurses and patients have different understandings of technology and when the nurse identifies with the values imposed by technology at the expense of acknowledging her own and the patient's vulnerability.
Cooper
M C
MC
School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D012918:Social Alienation; D012945:Social Values; D013672:Technology