TABLE 4.
Constructive content analysis of remarks concerning physicians’, respiratory therapists’ and nurses’ autonomy and influence
| Collaboration concepts | Physicians | Nurses | Respiratory therapists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared responsibility | - | Nurses used to change key settings only per physicians’ order and if respiratory therapists were not present at bedside (5*). | Physicians and nurses mostly make the changes due to a shortage of respiratory therapists (2*). |
| Partnership | Physicians discuss every vented case with respiratory therapists for management (2*). | - | - |
| Interdependency | Decisions are made according to the patient’s condition, ABG interpretation and physicians’ opinions in collaboration with respiratory therapists (2*). | - | - |
| Power | - | Decisions are influenced mainly by physicians and respiratory therapists without significant nurse inputs (2*). Nurses do not feel enough confidence to manage mechanical ventilation (1). |
Respiratory therapists have a reasonable influence on mechanical ventilation treatment plans during medical rounds (3*). Physicians sometimes refuse to follow respiratory therapists’ plans if they are not convinced of those plans (2*). |
*
Frequency of time the remark is expressed by physician directors, respiratory therapist managers and/or nurse managers. ABG Arterial blood gas.