Background Critically ill morbidly obese patients pose considerable healthcare delivery and
resource utilisation challenges. However little is known about the care of these patients in
intensive care. Objective To explore medical and nursing practices and attitudes in intensive
care when caring for critically ill morbidly obese patients. Methods A focused ethnographic
approach was adopted. Participant observation of care practices and interviews with
intensive care doctors and nurses were undertaken over a four month period. Qualitative …

Background: Critically ill morbidly obese patients pose considerable healthcare delivery and
resource utilisation challenges. However little is known about the care of these patients in
intensive care. Objective: To explore medical and nursing practices and attitudes in
intensive care when caring for critically ill morbidly obese patients. Methods: A focused
ethnographic approach was adopted. Participant observation of care practices and
interviews with intensive care doctors and nurses were undertaken over a four month period …