Kathryn Buchanan Keller

Evolution of Caring for Dying Patients in Intensive Care Units in the United States from 1960-1980

Abstract This study examines the evolution of caring for dying patients in intensive care units in the United States from 1960-1980. Historical research method was used. Data were obtained from electronic databases, journals, textbooks, and interviews of 3 intensive care nurses. The 3 major themes were: lack of formal preparation for care of the dying; increased workload and stress; and becoming more concerned about quality of end-of-life care. Nurses and healthcare professionals could use this knowledge as a source to compare and develop their future practices in care for dying patients in the intensive care units.

Grounding Nursing Simulation in Caring Science

2008, Vol. 12, No. 3 tion through the six layers of dialogue construction (Johns, 2006). It has become evident in this research program that narrative can only be learned through guidance on doing narrative. In a practice world whereby caring has become impoverished, reflective narrative offers a deeply practical path to empower practitioners to appreciate a vision and the skills of holistic caring and, most significantly, to appreciate and shift the conditions that constrain practitioners from realizing caring—notably the factors of power, tradition, and embodiment (Fay, 1987).