Experiences of conflicting decision-making by surrogate decision-makers in neurocritical care in China: a descriptive qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the experience of decision conflict among surrogate decision-makers for patients with critical illness undergoing neurosurgery.

Design

A qualitative descriptive research design was used. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling method, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, which were then analysed using Colaizzi's seven-step analysis method.

Setting

The study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in China.

Participants

This study included 15 surrogate decision-makers for patients with critical illness undergoing neurosurgery as interview participants.

Results

In this interview study, two main themes and nine subthemes were identified：(a) core conflict in the decision-making proce

SUBMITTER: Mao S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12820852 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature