WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE INTENSIVE CARE UNITS - ICU? AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT THE BELIEFS OF PEOPLE FROM THE DISTRICT FEDERAL AND ITS SURROUNDING

Abstract

Health professionals who work in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are often faced with misconceptions expressed by family members and patients about what an ICU is, its functioning and purpose. This study sought to investigate what emerging beliefs the population of the Federal District - DF and surrounding areas have regarding Intensive Care Units - ICU. This is an exploratory study, with a cross-sectional and mixed design. 125 people participated in the research and responded to a self-report measure: a sociodemographic questionnaire and an online questionnaire (Google Forms) that assessed beliefs about public and private ICUs in the Federal District, through 19 semi-open and closed questions. Descriptive statistical analysis of quantitative data and Bardin content analysis of subjective questions were performed. It is concluded that there are people who have mistaken beliefs about the functioning of ICUs, with a conviction about important differences between public and private ICUs. Education and profession was a determining factor regarding the adequacy between beliefs and the reality experienced in the ICUs.