Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları

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• MakaleAçık Erişim2026/r/gumushane/12198
  Protecting the Privacy of Patients With Impaired Consciousness in Intensive Care: A Qualitative Study

  Tuncer, Metin; Özalp, Cemal; Keskin, Azra

  Background: Maintaining privacy in intensive care units (ICUs) is challenging because of high workload, invasive procedures, continuous monitoring and shared care environments. Patients with impaired consciousness may be particularly vulnerable because their ability to express privacy preferences, assert personal boundaries and advocate for themselves is limited. Aim: To explore intensive care nurses' experiences of protecting privacy when caring for patients with impaired consciousness. Study Design: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 20 intensive care nurses in Türkiye between March and April 2026. Data were collected through semi-structured online interviews and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The study was reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Findings: Four themes were identified: the marginalisation of privacy under clinical priorities; structural and process-related constraints on privacy in intensive care; loss of subjectivity and the mechanisation of care in patients with impaired consciousness; and ethical and psychosocial implications of privacy violations. Conclusions: Privacy in intensive care is shaped not only by individual ethical awareness but also by workload, environmental conditions, care routines and communication practices. Patients with impaired consciousness have the same rights to privacy and dignity as other patients; however, their reduced ability to express preferences, assert personal boundaries and advocate for themselves may make privacy violations less visible and increase their dependence on nurses for protection. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Protecting the privacy of patients with impaired consciousness in ICUs requires structured care routines, standardised bedside communication, minimisation of unnecessary exposure during procedures and targeted ethical awareness training to support dignity in everyday practice.

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• MakaleAçık Erişim2025/r/gumushane/12467
  Psychosocial problems experienced by intensive care nurses regarding sleep pattern within the scope of working conditions: A phenomenological study

  Atasayar, Belgin Şen; Emirza, Elif Güzide; Uzun, Sevda

  Background: Nurses working in intensive care units experience insomnia and accompanying psychosocial problems due to working conditions. Aim: This study explores with a phenomenological approach the psychosocial problems experienced by intensive care nurses regarding sleep patterns within the scope of working conditions. Study Design: In this phenomenological study, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 nurses working in the surgical intensive care unit of a state hospital in Türkiye. Criterion sampling method, one of the purposive sampling methods, was used to reach the sample group. Researchers' interviews continued until they reached data saturation. All interviews were recorded on a voice recorder after obtaining the necessary permissions from the nurses and then transcribed. The study data were evaluated using thematic analysis. The current manuscript was reported following the COREQ checklist. Results: Data analysis revealed three main themes (how working as an intensive care nurse changes sleep patterns, the relationship between shift work, work performance, patient care and how working as an intensive care nurse changes individual life and coping strategies) and nine subthemes (mental, physical, social, work performance, patient care, nutrition, family life, social life and coping). Conclusion: The study's findings revealed that nurses working in intensive care experienced psychosocial difficulties related to sleep patterns and had trouble coping. In particular, it was determined that sleep problems of intensive care nurses cause difficulties in family life, nutrition and social life. It is recommended that the number of personnel in workplaces be increased, overtime hours should be limited, and professional development and training on the importance of sleep for all nurses should be provided. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Nurses working in intensive care units may experience psychosocial problems due to working conditions, which may negatively change their coping skills. Therefore, organizing the working conditions of nurses positively changes their coping skills.

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• MakaleAçık Erişim2023/r/gumushane/12650
  Evaluation of moral sensitivity and moral courage in intensive care nurses in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic

  Goktas, Sonay; Aktug, Cemile; Gezginci, Elif

  Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, intensive care nurses may experience ethical issues related to fear of transmission, limited resources, and increased workload. Nurses' moral sensitivity and courage may have a role in dealing with these problems. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess intensive care nurses' moral sensitivity and moral courage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional survey. Methods: A total of 362 nurses working in the intensive care units of pandemic hospitals in Turkey participated in the study between January and March 2021. Data were obtained using a personal information form, the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and the Nurses' Moral Courage Scale. A link to the online data collection tools was sent to the management of participating institutions, who forwarded it to nurses. Reporting followed the CHERRIES guidelines. Results: In this study, the response rate of nurses was 89%. The nurses' total mean moral sensitivity score was 90.70 ± 28.89 and their mean moral courage score was 82.08 ± 13.51. A weak inverse correlation was found between the nurses' moral sensitivity and moral courage scores (r = −.176, p =.001). Total moral sensitivity score differed significantly according to years of Intensive care unit (ICU) experience (p =.007). Total moral courage scores increased significantly with education level (p =.012), years of nursing experience (p =.016), and willingness to work in the ICU (p <.001). Conclusion: The study suggests that nurses working in the intensive care unit during the pandemic had moderate moral sensitivity and high levels of moral courage. Nurses' sociodemographic characteristics and ICU work conditions may affect their moral sensitivity and moral courage. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The results of this study can help guide efforts to improve moral courage and sensitivity and address ethical issues among ICU nurses.

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• MakaleYalnız künye2021/r/gumushane/14634
  The effects of noise levels on pain, anxiety, and sleep in patients

  Aydın Sayılan, Aylin; Kulakaç, Nurşen; Sayılan, Samet

  Background: Intensive care is a noisy environment for patients and one that affects pain, anxiety levels, and sleep quality. Aims and objectives: To determine the relationship between noise levels and pain, anxiety, and sleep levels in patients in intensive care units. Design: A descriptive and observational study design was used. Methods: This study was conducted between June and December 2018 in a public hospital and included 111 patients admitted to surgical critical care for at least 24 hours. Three Benetech Gm1351 manual sound level metres were used to measure noise. A Patient Information Form, a pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) were used for data collection. Results: The mean age of the patients was 57.29 years. The mean noise level detected in the intensive care unit was 66.52 dB (dB). Patients' mean pain VAS score was 3.79 ± 1.72, the mean State Anxiety Inventory score was 39.74 ± 2.98, and the mean total RCSQ score was 25.10 ± 13.17. Our findings show that patients in the intensive care unit are exposed to high noise levels and that, while this has no effect on pain, it significantly impacts anxiety and quality of sleep. Conclusions: Noise levels in intensive care units significantly exceed recommended thresholds, and this adversely affects patients' anxiety levels and sleep quality. It is important for suitably restful conditions to be provided for patients, to be aware of the potential for anxiety, and for these factors to be borne in mind when planning nursing interventions. Relevance to clinical practice: Further studies on the effects of noise levels on pain, anxiety, and sleep levels in patients admitted to intensive care units are needed.

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