Doctors' experiences of referring and admitting patients to the intensive care unit: a qualitative study of doctors' practices at two tertiary hospitals in Malawi.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To explore doctors' experiences of referring and admitting patients to the intensive care unit (ICU) at two tertiary hospitals in Malawi.

Design

This was a qualitative study that used face-to-face interviews. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim into English. The data were analysed manually through conventional content analysis.

Setting

Two public tertiary hospitals in the central and southern regions of Malawi. Interviews were conducted from January to June 2021.

Participants

Sixteen doctors who were involved in the referral and admission of patients to the ICU.

Results

Four themes were identified namely, lack of clear admission criteria, ICU admission requires a complex chain of consultations, shortage of ICU resources, and

SUBMITTER: Gundo R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10151975 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature