Caregiver willingness to provide care in the ICU: A concept analysis

Abstract

Aim The purpose of this paper is to conceptually define “caregiver willingness” for application to a family member providing care to a critically ill loved one during an intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization. Background Delivering care to a family member may have psychological benefits for both the caregiver and the critically ill loved one; however, the willingness of family members to provide care is an elusive concept. Examination of the “caregiver willingness” concept will help to advance nursing science. Design Walker and Avant's eight step strategy guided identification of the defining attributes, empirical referents, antecedents, and consequences of “caregiver willingness.” Data Source Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, and Psychology and Behavioral Health Collections were used to search for literature published between 2000 and 2020. Review Methods A literature search was conducted using keywords, such as “caregiver,” “willingness,” “willing to care,” “family or families or relatives or siblings or caregiver,” and “critically ill or intensive care or ICU or critical care.” Results A definition of caregiver willingness was constructed and defined as “a family member or significant other's affirmation or acknowledgment of openness to engage in the physical and/or emotional supportive care of a loved one who is critically ill and cannot perform self‐care.” Conclusion The definition provides a foundation for instrument development to measure caregiver willingness and possible theory expansion for family engagement and caregiving in the ICU.

The future of intensive care: delirium should no longer be an issue

“…This means not only that a member of the family can sleep in the same room, bring in children, friends, or pets, but could also play a role in taking care of the patient; family participating. Importantly, the family but also would need psychological and social support to learn how to provide support for the patient [ 57 ]. The effectiveness of addressing family needs of critically ill patients involves support groups in and out of ICU, structured communication and/or education programs, providing information brochures to meet family needs or the use of diaries [ 58 ].…”