Ethical considerations related to virtual visiting for families and critically ill patients in intensive care: a qualitative descriptive study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual visiting technologies were rapidly integrated into the care offered by intensive care units (ICUs) in the UK and across the globe. Today, these technologies offer a necessary adjunct to in-person visits for those with ICU access limited by geography, work/caregiving commitments, or frailty. However, few empirical studies explore the ethical issues associated with virtual visiting. This study aimed to explore the anticipated or unanticipated ethical issues raised by using virtual visiting in the ICU, such that healthcare professionals can be informed about how to carry out virtual visits ethically, safely and productively.

Methods

We used a descriptive exploratory qualitative research approach recruiting a convenience sample of

SUBMITTER: Clarke K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11549751 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature