Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences in Providing Palliative Care in an Intensive Care Unit in Indonesia: A Phenomenological Study

Critical Care Meets Compassion: A Phenomenological Study of ICU-Based Palliative Care in Indonesia

A collaborative study led by Prof. Henny Suzana Mediani S.Kp, M.Ng.., Ph.D. (Universitas Padjadjaran), in collaboration with Universitas Katolik De La Salle, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, explores how ICU healthcare professionals navigate the complex demands of palliative care in Indonesian hospitals.

Using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method, researchers interviewed four nurses and three physicians. They uncovered six central themes: professional compassion, interprofessional collaboration, meaningful communication, end-of-life dignity, emotional control, and holistic attention to patient needs.

These findings suggest that ICU-based palliative care requires more than clinical skill, it demands emotional intelligence, communication, and a commitment to the holistic well-being of patients and their families. The study recommends institutional policies to strengthen palliative services in Indonesia, contributing to more equitable, humane, and effective care.

This work directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 3, promoting health and well-being for all, and SDG 10, by advocating for equitable access to dignified care for critically ill patients across all socioeconomic backgrounds.

🔗 Full Article: https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S486021