The care with technology to care technology

Abstract

Technology has expanded man's life opportunities, and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a sophisticated service center that reflects the technique’s capabilities. Thus, the aim of this study was to detect the effects of the use of technology in the process of caring for critical ill patients. In order to reach this goal, a qualitative approach was chosen, and the technique of interviews was adopted. The reflections emerged from the analysis of the information provided by the nurses’ discourse, which was interpreted in the light of a theoretical framework based on the thought of Michel Foucault. Through the elaboration of an analysis, whose background was the interrelationship of knowlwdge/power, it was possible to shed light on significant aspects of the nursing staff actions. These aspects involve the development of competencies which, under a controlled and very detailed set of conditions implemented by the “disciplinary authorities” present in a hospital institution, contribute to establish the profile of a nursing staff that acts in the leading segment of the profession, which is characterized by a caring process. It was found in this research that nurses are concerned about the repercussions of indiscriminate use of these "machines", required to monitor several variables and maintain life; as well as the effects of this technology in the nurse/patient interaction.