Family members' beliefs and attitudes towards visiting policy in the intensive care units of Ghana

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to investigate family members' beliefs and attitudes towards the visiting policies of intensive care units (ICUs). Design It employed a descriptive cross‐sectional quantitative design. Method This study recruited four public hospitals in Ghana with a sample of 200 family members. The study was conducted using a self‐administered questionnaire. The data were collected and analysed with SPSS version 16. Results This study revealed that while family members believed in the beneficial effect of adhering to open visiting policies in ICUs, their attitudes were sceptical and restrictive. Most family members preferred the acceptable number of visitors within 24 hr to be two, and according to them, only one person should be allowed to enter at a time. There was a meaningful relationship between the families' beliefs and religion ( p = 0.02), educational level ( p = 0.03) and family status ( p = 0.02). Furthermore, a meaningful relationship was also observed between the families' attitudes and status ( p = 0.04) and their level of education ( p = 0.05). The studied family members showed concern in this regard and did not want the community style of visiting to be implemented, which could hinder patients' recovery.

The lived experiences of family members who visit their relatives in Covid-19 intensive care unit for the first time: A phenomenological study

“…All this has been confirmed in studies that have detected several stressful factors in an intensive care environment, such as fear of unknown consequences, disruption of routine, lack of familiarity with the environment, and emotional upheavals 41 , 42 . Visits by relatives in the ICU are fundamental because they generate satisfaction and awareness for the family members 43 .…”

Family Presence and Visitation Practices in Latin American PICUs: An International Survey

“…For instance, in Ghana, Yakubu et al reported family skepticism when given the opportunity for unrestricted visitation, with concerns that it could hinder recovery. 27 Important additional factors must also be considered when interpreting our findings, namely professional staffing and infrastructure. Open family presence at the bedside can be challenging to ICU staff.…”

Family‐centred care interventions to reduce the delirium prevalence in critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Our findings suggest that FCC intervention has positive effects on reducing ICU delirium prevalence. The majority of included studies increased family visiting time or controlled the visiting times flexibly (Eghbali‐Babadi et al., 2017 ; Gan Xiaoqing et al., 2017 ; Rosa et al., 2019 ), which can engage ICU patients with their family members longer time, enable them to fully feel the support of relatives and friends and facilitate adaptation to environmental changes (Garrouste‐Orgeas et al., 2016a ; Yakubu et al., 2019 ). In addition, the targeted training, memory induction and avoidance of sensory deprivation provided by family members (Eghbali‐Babadi et al., 2017 ; Mitchell et al., 2017 ) may improve patients’ perception of the environment, relieve fear and alleviate tension and anxiety (Piao et al., 2018 ).…”

“…Frequent communication generates a better family understanding of the healthcare process and families can receive timely and accurate information, thus meeting their information needs and effectively participating in decision‐making (Hönig & Gündel, 2016 ). In addition, it promotes family participation in the living care of patients, relatives may feel a sense of usefulness and self‐worth since they contribute to patients’ rehabilitation process (Kang et al., 2020 ; Wong et al., 2019b ; Yakubu et al., 2019 ). Thus, medical staff should raise awareness of the important role of family members in patients’ rehabilitation process.…”

“…Frequent communication generates a better family understanding of the healthcare process and families can receive timely and accurate information, thus meeting their information needs and effectively participating in decision-making(Hönig & Gündel, 2016). In addition, it promotes family participation in the living care of patients, relatives may feel a sense of usefulness and self-worth since theyF I G U R E 4 Forrest plots of the effect of family-centred care on ICU patients; (a) delirium prevalence; (b) length of ICU stay; (c) mechanical ventilation duration; (d) ICU-acquired infection (a) Delirium prevalence (b) Length of ICU stay (c) Mechanical ventilation duration (d) ICU-acquired infection contribute to patients' rehabilitation process(Kang et al, 2020;Wong et al, 2019b;Yakubu et al, 2019). Thus, medical staff should raise awareness of the important role of family members in patients' rehabilitation process.…”