Background: A decision against CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) means refraining from life-saving measures in the event of cardiac arrest. The decision is made by the responsible physician, with medical factors and ethical considerations playing a decisive role. Medical conditions, age and prognosis are weighed against the risk of suffering and a reduced quality of life following CPR. When making decisions, physicians typically strive to provide the best possible care for all patients, but family members may react differently to the decision. Team collaboration and clear communication with the patient and family members are essential, as a decision against CPR can be perceived as ethically complex and a sensitive issue.
Aim: To describe nurses’ experiences of encountering relatives’ experiences during a decision not to perform CPR.
Methods: The study was based on a qualitative interview design with an inductive approach. A convenience sampling was used, as the authors had connections to the participants’ workplace.The inclusion criteria were designed to ensure that participants could contribute relevant and reflective information. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured interviews based on an interview guide, with seven nurses participating. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interviews, including both latent and manifest content being analyzed.
Results: The results were presented based on the following themes: General guidelines for decisions regarding no CPR, emotional reactions, and the importance of communication when explaining a no CPR decision, as well as their subthemes, which reflected how nurses perceived the experiences of family members. It became clear that most family members responded in a sensible and prudent manner, especially when information was provided well in advance and in a respectful way. The participants had also encountered situations where the decision was not accepted, often due to feelings of guilt and disappointment among family members.
Conclusion: The study showed that a decision against CPR was not merely a medical assessment but a complex process, in which suffering may be a factor in the decision making process. Suffering can be divided into illness-related suffering, life-related suffering and care-related suffering, all of which are taken into account in the decision. When patients and their families understand the patient’s suffering and quality of life, they are more likely to accept the decision.