The Resuscitation Team Members’ Lived Experiences Regarding Futile Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Children and Newborn Infants: A Phenomenological Study Publisher Pubmed



Hasanpour M ; Salehpoor Emran M ; Kenner C ; Banazadeh M
Source: Scientific Reports Published:2026

Abstract

Futility is difficult to define in the context of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, as it refers to the low likelihood of success. Healthcare providers face challenges when performing pediatric/neonatal Resuscitation. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of resuscitation team members regarding futile Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in children/newborns. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach was used with purposive sampling, resulting in 11 members of the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation team for children/newborns (7 nurses/4 physicians). Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted online/face-to-face and analyzed using Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method. Findings revealed two main themes: “useful or traumatic futile resuscitation; the paradoxical feelings,” and “the tension of attempting resuscitation despite knowing it is futile.“The first theme included “justifying the usefulness of futile resuscitation” and “examining the adverse outcomes of futile resuscitation,” while the second included “coercion to futile resuscitation for others’ interests,” “symbolic resuscitation for social-legal reasons,” and “coercion to futile resuscitation for the resuscitator’s benefit.” Participants perceived a paradox between futility and usefulness based on their values, beliefs, experiences, and interpretation of consequences. Facing this dichotomy under pressure to perform futile resuscitation created distressing experiences. Given the absence of clinical guidelines for do-not-resuscitate, developing such guidelines is essential to prevent confusion and moral distress among health professionals. © The Author(s) 2026.