Enablers and challenges of caring in the intensive care unit-Part 1: In relation to patients, families and ICU environment

The concept of caring is vague and complex, especially in critical environments such as the intensive care unit (ICU). ICU nursing includes not only patients but also extends to patients’ families, nurses, other health team members unit’s environment. A focused ethnographic study was conducted an Australian ICU. data collected from 35 registered nurses through various resources: participants' observations, documents reviews, interviews, additional participants’ notes. Data were analysed inductively thematically. outlines comprehensively widely a wide range enablers challenges affecting - which originate different sources patients, Nurses stakeholders clinicians, educators, researchers, managers policymakers need recognise these factors their implications for providing quality order enhance maintain optimal level This paper first two-part series that explores nurses’ experiences perspectives setting, relation families environment, while second part will be concerned with are related