Yoğun Bakım Hemşirelerinin Yaşlı Bireylere İlişkin Tutumlarının Bakım Davranışlarına Etkisinin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the effect of intensive care nurses' attitudes towards older adults on their care behaviors. The research was conducted between October 15, 2023, and June 5, 2024, in the Intensive Care Units of Yenimahalle Training and Research Hospital and Hacettepe Adult Hospital. The research sample consisted of 90 nurses working in these units. Data were collected using the “Nurse Introduction Form,” “UCLA Geriatric Attitudes (UCLA-GA) Scale,” and “Care Behaviors Inventory-24 (CBI-24).” For data analysis, numerical data, percentage, descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, One-Way ANOVA, independent samples t-test, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression analysis were utilized. The average age of the nurses was 31.47±6.81 years; 77.8% were female, 80.0% had a bachelor's degree. In our study, the mean UCLA-GA scale score and the mean CBI-24 score were found to be 45.95±6.29 and 5.17±0.61, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found in the total mean score of the UCLA-GA scale according to the nurses' satisfaction with working in the intensive care unit and their perception that the work environment supports their work positively. (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in the total mean scores of UCLA-GA and BDI-24 according to the desire to live with the older adult and the duration of living in the same house. (p<0.05). A significant, positive, and moderate correlation was identified between the total mean scores of the UCLA-GA scale and CBI-24 among nurses (p<0.05, r: 0.613). As a result of our study, it was determined that as the positive attitude scores of nurses providing care to older individuals increased, their caregiving behaviors also improved. Therefore, to ensure the provision of quality care for older patients, it is recommended to conduct further studies with larger sample groups to assess the attitudes of intensive care nurses toward older patients and to raise awareness through in-service training programs within healthcare institutions.