Piecing the Puzzle: Towards Intensive Care Unit Nurses’ Understanding of Patients’ Near-Death Experiences
Regie de Jesus, Hansel Gadon
British Journal of Nursing Studies September 10, 2023 DOI: 10.32996/bjns.2023.3.2.2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study (Glaserian grounded theory) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 21 |
| Population | ICU nurses with five to fifteen years of clinical experience |
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Key findings | The authors propose that ICU nurses acquire understanding of patients' near-death experiences through a staged process they label "Piecing the Puzzle," comprising five interwoven themes: Superficial Knowing, Experiential Acquisition, Substantiation, Reflection, and Deepened Understanding. They argue that a holistic nursing view encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of near-death experiences is essential for comprehensive, compassionate care. |
Abstract
This study aims to construct a model that elucidates the process by which nurses acquire an understanding of near-death experiences (NDE) in intensive care units (ICU). The researcher utilized a classic Glaserian grounded theory inquiry design approach. Employing theoretical sampling, twenty-one ICU nurses with clinical experience ranging from five to fifteen years were recruited. Subsequently, the researchers gathered data through in-depth interviews, observations, and memos. Generated data were transcribed verbatim and subjected to line-per-line analysis. Consequently, coding was performed on a contextual basis, followed by categorizing based on the obvious fit. The process of developing an understanding of patients’ near-death experiences is summarized in the formulated core category “Piecing the Puzzle,” which reflects five interwoven emergent themes, namely Superficial Knowing, Experiential Acquisition, Substantiation, Reflection, and Deepened Understanding. Just as a puzzle's final image emerges from fitting pieces together, nurses gradually unravel the intricate tapestry of a patient's near-death experience, leading to deeper insights into their emotional and spiritual journey. Based on study findings, a holistic nursing view that encompasses the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of patients' NDE experiences is paramount for nurses to provide comprehensive and compassionate care that facilitates healing and well-being.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on near-death experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative thematic analysis of the phenomenology of near-death experiences Cardiac arrest survivors | 2018 | Qualitative study | n = 34 |
| Do Suicide Survivors Report Near-Death Experiences? Persons who had been close to death as a result of a suicide attempt | 1982 | Qualitative study | n = 36 |
| The evolving self: finding meaning in near-death experiences using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Female participants who had near-death experiences | 2008 | Qualitative study | n = 3 |
| Investigation of the phenomenology, physiology and impact of spiritually transformative experiences - kundalini awakening. Persons having a spiritually transformative experience (e.g., spontaneous energetic... | 2021 | Qualitative study | |
| Near-death experiences and religion: A further investigation Near-death experiencers | 1984 | Qualitative study | n = 40 |
Citations in the library
Cites 10
- Near-Death Experience as a Probe to Explore (Disconnected) Consciousness Trends in Cognitive Sciences January 22, 2020
- A systematic analysis of distressing near-death experience accounts Memory June 12, 2019
- Incidence of near-death experiences in patients surviving a prolonged critical illness and their long-term impact: a prospective observational study Critical Care February 27, 2023
- Burn Survivors’ Near-Death Experiences: A Qualitative Examination OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying February 1, 2020
- Neuro-functional modeling of near-death experiences in contexts of altered states of consciousness. Frontiers in Psychology 2022
and 5 more in the library