Glucose management in critically ill adults: A qualitative study from the experiences of health care providers

Aims and objective: To explain the components and elements of glucose management in critically ill adult patients from the healthcare providers' experiences. Background: Critically ill adults are highly susceptible to stress-induced hyperglycaemia due to glucose metabolic disorders. Healthcare workers play a key role in the glycaemic management of critically ill patients. However, there is a lack of qualitative studies on the content and elements of glycaemic management and healthcare workers' perceptions about glycaemic management in China. Design: Qualitative study that followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted from January to April 2022. Fifteen physicians and nurses were recruited from ten hospitals in mainland China. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Glucose management in critically ill adult patients from their experiences included two parts: the inner ring (practice behaviours) and the external space (methods and drivers). The practice behaviours of glucose management include five elements, while the methods and drivers of glucose management focus on three elements. The content covered under each element was identified. Conclusion: This study developed a glycaemic management model for critically ill adult patients, clarified its elements based on the perceptions of healthcare providers and elaborated on the methods and drivers covered under each element to provide a reference for physicians and nurses to develop a comprehensive glycaemic management guideline for critically ill adult patients. Relevance to clinical practice: Our study proposed a glucose management practice model for critically ill adult patients, and the elements and components included in this model can provide a reference for physicians and nurses when performing glucose management in critically ill patients.