Technology solutionism in paediatric intensive care: clinicians’ perspectives of bioethical considerations
Abstract Background The use of long-term life-sustaining technology for children improves survival rates in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs), but it may also increase long-term morbidity. One example of this is children who are dependent on invasive long-term ventilation. Clinicians caring fo...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Ethics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-023-00937-6 |
| _version_ | 1797451523482976256 |
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| author | Denise Alexander Mary Quirke Carmel Doyle Katie Hill Kate Masterson Maria Brenner |
| author_facet | Denise Alexander Mary Quirke Carmel Doyle Katie Hill Kate Masterson Maria Brenner |
| author_sort | Denise Alexander |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The use of long-term life-sustaining technology for children improves survival rates in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs), but it may also increase long-term morbidity. One example of this is children who are dependent on invasive long-term ventilation. Clinicians caring for these children navigate an increasing array of ethical complexities. This study looks at the meaning clinicians give to the bioethical considerations associated with the availability of increasingly sophisticated technology. Methods A hermeneutic phenomenological exploration of the experiences of clinicians in deciding whether to initiate invasive long-term ventilation in children took place, via unstructured interviews. Data were analysed to gain insight into the lived experiences of clinicians. Participants were from PICUs, or closely allied to the care of children in PICUs, in four countries. Results Three themes developed from the data that portray the experiences of the clinicians: forming and managing relationships with parents and other clinicians considering, or using, life sustaining technology; the responsibility for moral and professional integrity in the use of technology; and keeping up with technological developments, and the resulting ethical and moral considerations. Discussion There are many benefits of the availability of long-term life-sustaining technology for a child, however, clinicians must also consider increasingly complex ethical dilemmas. Bioethical norms are adapting to aid clinicians, but challenges remain. Conclusion During a time of technological solutionism, more needs to be understood about the influences on the initiation of invasive long-term ventilation for a child. Further research to better understand how clinicians, and bioethics services, support care delivery may positively impact this arena of health care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:55:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-282dfdc6743f4baa99d2cedf71bf7e91 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6939 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:55:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Ethics |
| spelling | doaj.art-282dfdc6743f4baa99d2cedf71bf7e912023-11-26T14:10:01ZengBMCBMC Medical Ethics1472-69392023-07-012411910.1186/s12910-023-00937-6Technology solutionism in paediatric intensive care: clinicians’ perspectives of bioethical considerationsDenise Alexander0Mary Quirke1Carmel Doyle2Katie Hill3Kate Masterson4Maria Brenner5School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College DublinSchool of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College DublinSchool of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College DublinSchool of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College DublinSchool of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College DublinSchool of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College DublinAbstract Background The use of long-term life-sustaining technology for children improves survival rates in paediatric intensive care units (PICUs), but it may also increase long-term morbidity. One example of this is children who are dependent on invasive long-term ventilation. Clinicians caring for these children navigate an increasing array of ethical complexities. This study looks at the meaning clinicians give to the bioethical considerations associated with the availability of increasingly sophisticated technology. Methods A hermeneutic phenomenological exploration of the experiences of clinicians in deciding whether to initiate invasive long-term ventilation in children took place, via unstructured interviews. Data were analysed to gain insight into the lived experiences of clinicians. Participants were from PICUs, or closely allied to the care of children in PICUs, in four countries. Results Three themes developed from the data that portray the experiences of the clinicians: forming and managing relationships with parents and other clinicians considering, or using, life sustaining technology; the responsibility for moral and professional integrity in the use of technology; and keeping up with technological developments, and the resulting ethical and moral considerations. Discussion There are many benefits of the availability of long-term life-sustaining technology for a child, however, clinicians must also consider increasingly complex ethical dilemmas. Bioethical norms are adapting to aid clinicians, but challenges remain. Conclusion During a time of technological solutionism, more needs to be understood about the influences on the initiation of invasive long-term ventilation for a child. Further research to better understand how clinicians, and bioethics services, support care delivery may positively impact this arena of health care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-023-00937-6BioethicsChildClinical technologyComplex careLong-term ventilation |
| spellingShingle | Denise Alexander Mary Quirke Carmel Doyle Katie Hill Kate Masterson Maria Brenner Technology solutionism in paediatric intensive care: clinicians’ perspectives of bioethical considerations BMC Medical Ethics Bioethics Child Clinical technology Complex care Long-term ventilation |
| title | Technology solutionism in paediatric intensive care: clinicians’ perspectives of bioethical considerations |
| title_full | Technology solutionism in paediatric intensive care: clinicians’ perspectives of bioethical considerations |
| title_fullStr | Technology solutionism in paediatric intensive care: clinicians’ perspectives of bioethical considerations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Technology solutionism in paediatric intensive care: clinicians’ perspectives of bioethical considerations |
| title_short | Technology solutionism in paediatric intensive care: clinicians’ perspectives of bioethical considerations |
| title_sort | technology solutionism in paediatric intensive care clinicians perspectives of bioethical considerations |
| topic | Bioethics Child Clinical technology Complex care Long-term ventilation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-023-00937-6 |
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