Es bleibt zu wenig Zeit zum Sterben – Explorative Einblicke in die End-of-Life Care aus der Perspektive von Intensivpflegepersonen einer österreichischen Universitätsklinik

Zusammenfassung

Ziel der Studie

Die Studie exploriert Wahrnehmungen von Intensivpflegepersonen zur End-of-Life Care (EoLC) auf chirurgischen Intensivstationen einer österreichischen Universitätsklinik und leitet daraus praxisnahe Implikationen ab.

Methodik

Es wurden zehn leitfadengestützte Expert*inneninterviews mit Intensivpflegepersonen einer österreichischen Universitätsklinik durchgeführt und mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse nach Kuckartz und Rädiker ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Die Analyse ergab fünf zentrale Themenbereiche: Patient*innenversorgung, Angehörigenbetreuung, interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit, Aus- und Weiterbildung sowie berufliche Perspektiven. Als belastend werden mangelnde Kommunikation, fehlende Einbindung in Entscheidungen und personelle Engpässe beschrieben. Zugleich wird EoLC als bedeutungsvoll und erfüllend erlebt.

Schlussfolgerungen

Eine patient*innenzentrierte, würdevolle EoLC erfordert Zeit, interprofessionelle Kooperation, stabile Rahmenbedingungen und gezielte Qualifizierung.

Abstract

Objective

This study explores the perceptions of intensive care nurses regarding end-of-life care (EoLC) in surgical intensive care units at an Austrian university hospital and derives practice-oriented implications.

Methods

Ten semi-structured expert interviews with intensive care nurses were conducted and analyzed using qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz and Rädiker.

Results

The analysis revealed five main themes: patient care, family support, interprofessional collaboration, education and training, and professional perspectives. Lack of communication, limited involvement in decision-making, and staff shortages were described as burdensome. At the same time, EoLC was experienced as meaningful and fulfilling.

Conclusion

Dignified, patient-centered EoLC requires time, interprofessional collaboration, stable structural conditions, and targeted professional training.

Schlüsselwörter

End-of-Life Care - Intensivpflege - berufliche Belastung - interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit - Entscheidungsfindung am Lebensende

Keywords

end-of-life care - intensive care nursing - occupational stress - interprofessional collaboration - end-of-life decision-making

Publication History

Received: 16 July 2025

Accepted after revision: 14 November 2025

Article published online:
09 December 2025

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