title: Critical care nurses and relatives of elderly patients in intensive care unit-Ambivalent interaction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to explore the experiences of CCNs in relation to relatives of elderly patients 80 years and older admitted to ICU.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through methods grounded in phenomenology, six CCNs were purposefully selected for their experiences with relatives of elderly patients admitted to an ICU in Norway. Each CCN participated in semi-structured personal interviews. Using content analysis, interviews were coded and categories and themes were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An overall theme emerged: "CCNs ambivalent interactive struggle with the relatives of elderly patients", which reflected the mixed feelings that CCNs recalled having towards relatives. Two themes emerged during the analysis. These were: "relatives are a resource for CCNs and the patient"; and "relatives are seen as challenge". Six sub-themes were identified: (1) CCNs are relying on relatives, (2) relatives and their understanding of the situation, (3) relatives are committed, (4) relatives have high expectations, (5) relatives can be seen as burden and (6) relatives with cultural differences are a challenge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CCN's experiences with the relatives of elderly patients in ICU represent a significant personal, mixed struggle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate that development of communication, education, reflection and a more structured organization of intensive care unit can improve results for CCNs and may improve the possibilities for CCNs to promote an excellent family nursing for the elderly patient and his relatives.
authors.affiliation: Universitet of Nordland, Faculty of Professional Studies, 8049 Bodø, Norway; Department of Anesthesiology, Prinsensgate 164, 8092 Bodø, Norway. Electronic address: akroute@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Abder Rahim
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Akroute
authors.affiliation: Universitet of Nordland, Faculty of Professional Studies, 8049 Bodø, Norway.
authors.forename: Terese
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bondas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Critical care nurses; Critical care unit; Elderly patient; Interaction; Interviews; Nursing; Qualitative content analysis; Relatives