Although the goals of care for intensive care patients are typically focused on restoration of health, people die in the intensive care unit (ICU). Early recognition of the need for end-of-life care is vital to identify and support the wishes of the patient and needs of their family. In Aotearoa, New Zealand, Māori are over-represented in admissions to ICUs. Enabling nursing staff to provide culturally-responsive care to Māori patients and whānau (family, including extended family, kin) is critical. A qualitative study by Bachelor of Nursing Honours graduate Ellie Taylor and supervised by Dr Natalie Anderson and Dr Tess Moeke-Maxwell explores the experiences of both Māori and non-Māori intensive care nurses, in providing end-of-life care for Māori patients and their whānau.

It is generally a memorable situation that leads us to call an ambulance for a family member. However, relatively little research has explored family members’ experiences of emergency ambulance care. Doctoral candidate Eillish Satchell recently identified and considered all existing published research including family and bystander experiences and found there was plenty of opportunity for greater family engagement in paramedic (ambulance) research.