Family members' perceptions of counselling during visits to loved ones in an adult ICU

Abstract

Aims The study's aims were to (1) assess family members' perceptions of the quality of the counselling they received while visiting a loved one in an adult ICU and (2) identify factors that influence family members' perceptions of counselling quality. Design A cross‐sectional survey of visiting family members of adult ICU patients. Methods Family members (n = 55) at eight ICUs across five Finnish university hospitals completed a cross‐sectional survey. Results Family members assessed the quality of counselling in adult ICUs to be good. Factors associated with the quality of counselling were knowledge, family‐centred counselling, and interaction. Family members' ability to live normally was associated with understanding of the loved one's situation (ρ = 0.715, p < 0.001). Interaction was associated with understanding (ρ = 0.715, p < 0.001). Family members felt that intensive care professionals did not adequately ensure that they understood counselling‐related issues and that they lacked opportunities to give feedback, in 29% of cases, staff asked the family members whether they understood the counselling and 43% of family members had opportunities to offer feedback. However, the family members felt that the counselling they received during ICU visits was beneficial.