Challenges in interpersonal relationships in ICU nurses: A systematic review

Abstract Background Interpersonal relationships among nurses are a dynamic, continuous, and unavoidable process with its unique and multidimensional specifications. Interpersonal relationships in ICU nurses are highly important given the complicated and critical conditions of patients in these wards and that the nurses have to face ethical distresses. These relationships and the way of resolving conflicts among nurses are functions of the ruling mood and culture in ICUs. Through perceiving these relationships and identifying the facilitators and barriers of such relationships in nurses we can create and preserve a healthy work environment. The form of professional and occupational relationship in nurses affects therapeutic performance. The purpose of this review was to review relationship challenges in ICU nurses Method In this study, systematically-reviewed articles written in English and Persian language and indexed in Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus databases and Google Scholar containing keywords namely “interpersonal relationships, nurses, professional communication, intensive care unit” published between 2008 and 2018 were searched for. The text of articles was studied several times and the relationship challenges in nurses were extracted, categorized, and explained. Results Out of 155 articles, 26 entered the final stage of review. The interpersonal relationship challenges in ICU nurses were categorized into five categories namely 1- professional environment, 2- relationship differences at different levels, 3- background condition of interpersonal relationships among nurses, 4- solution to create efficient relationships, 5- outcomes and results of an efficient relationship. Conclusion Factors like religious beliefs, educational level, behavioral and speech skills, cooperative attitudes, work experience, self-confidence, accepting criticism, supporting colleagues, and negative feelings can be effective in the development of interpersonal relationship culture. Work model and the way of assigning tasks to nurses were also indispensable parts of efficient relationships at work. By determining the challenges, the findings can be useful for determining proper solutions and functions to solve interpersonal relationship challenges in nurses. This can result in proper and healthy relationships among nurses and also promote similar relationships, which in return leads to quality and efficient care.