A Concept Analysis of Family Presence During COVID-19

Abstract

BackgroundIn 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic required health care organizations throughout the United States to implement strict visitor restriction policies to mitigate the spread of the virus. These policy changes had a direct impact on family presence (FP) in hospital settings.PurposeThe aim of this study was to conduct a concept analysis of FP during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWalker and Avant's 8-step method was used.ResultsFour defining attributes of FP during COVID-19 were derived based on a review of the literature: being there or with, seeing is believing, during challenging times, and subjective advocates. The COVID-19 pandemic was the main antecedent of the concept. The consequences and empirical referents were discussed. Model, borderline, and contrary cases were developed.ConclusionThis concept analysis provided an understanding of the concept of FP during COVID-19, which is imperative to optimizing patient care outcomes, as literature identified a support person or system as an extension of the care team that facilitates successful care management. Whether by advocating for their patients to have a support person present during team rounds, or by stepping in as the patient's main support system in the absence of family, nurses must find a way to do what is best for their patients even during the unprecedented times of a global pandemic.

Parental presence, participation, and engagement in paediatric hospital care: A conceptual delineation

“…Virtual presence (Papadimos et al, 2018) can be an adjunct to physical presence through video conferencing or telephone calls, allowing parents to speak with or to their children (Miles et al, 1999;Schenk & Kelley, 2010). Virtual presence has enabled parents to be present for care events such as bedside rounds (Tallent et al, 2022), or during restrictions to patient access due to infectious disease outbreaks (Dudeck et al, 2023;Duff et al, 2021;Koller et al, 2006;Papadimos et al, 2018;Voo et al, 2020)…”