Presence of the Family During Emergency Care: Patient and Family Living

Abstract

Objective: to understand how family members and adult patients perceive the family's presence in emergency care. Method: qualitative study that used Symbolic Interactionism as a theoretical reference and the Data Grounded Theory as a methodological reference. Data collection took place in two emergency rooms, located in southern Brazil, between October 2016 and February 2017, through open interviews with four patients and eight relatives. Results: the relative presence in the emergency care was signified/perceived as positive, due to the benefits identified for patients, family members and health professionals. However, the experience was also marked by mishaps for the family-patient relationship, such as fear, doubts, anguish about the forced separation of family members and the experience of feelings of regret. Conclusion: due to the fact that the presence of the family in the emergency room is perceived as positive and beneficial, it is suggested that the health services, to the extent of their possibilities, implement this practice. However, such units need to be better prepared to mitigate the pitfalls faced by patients and their families.

The role and contribution of family carers accompanying community‐living older people with cognitive impairment to the emergency department: An interview study

“…Given that CI and frailty may increase patient complexity, this finding is perhaps not surprising. Emergency clinicians may seek greater engagement with family carers, depending on the type of co‐morbidity (Barreto et al, 2019).…”

Vivência Familiar Do Atendimento De Emergência

“…Corroborando tal achado, pesquisa realizada com oito familiares e quatro pacientes atendidos na emergência de um hospital público brasileiro identificou que os membros da família que se sentiam melhor atendidos, e assim manejavam e vivenciavam melhor a situação, foram justamente aqueles que apontaram receber informações de maneira antecipada, ainda durante a realização da assistência (8) .…”

“…Ainda nesse contexto, a falha de comunicação consiste importante barreira nos serviços de emergência, pois sua manutenção compromete a integralidade do cuidado prestado, com prejuízo emocional para o núcleo familiar (8) .…”

“…Tal fato auxilia na compreensão das razões que levam os profissionais a solicitarem que os familiares aguardem o término do atendimento na recepção da unidade ou em sala de espera. Entretanto, a literatura sobre o tema (2,(7)(8) aponta que um indivíduo, ao receber a notícia de que seu familiar necessita de cuidados intensivos e agudos, apresenta um conjunto de sentimentos e sensações, como estranhamento, ansiedade, impotência e medo, o que pode acarretar desequilíbrio emocional e, possivelmente, uma crise familiar (2) . Somado a isto, a falha na comunicação entre o binômio profissionalpaciente -reflexo da omissão de informações em tempo oportuno, com a exclusão da família nas decisões relacionadas ao tratamento instituído e do uso de termos complexos nesse diálogo -coopera para que as famílias se tornem mais confusas e estressadas (8) .…”

Duality of Living With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Fluctuating Between “Good Days” and “Bad Days”

“…This is because they are professionals specialized in care, in meeting individual needs, and because they use strategies that can minimize the effects of bad days with previous and later care, and can reinforce attitudes that favor good days, through guidelines and support. Additionally, acting in an empathic, holistic and humanized manner, with welcoming, appreciation and respect for the individualities, favors the reduction of complications and can directly impact on the individual's empowerment 29 .…”