Informational Support to Family Members of Intensive Care Unit Patients: The Perspectives of Families and Nurses

Abstract

Introduction:The receiving information about the patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit is classified among the most important needs of the family members of such patients. Meeting the informational needs of families is a major goal for intensive care workers. Delivering honest, intelligible and effective information raises specific challenges in the stressful setting of the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this qualitative study was to explain perspectives of families of Intensive Care Unit patients and nurses about informational support.Method:Using a conventional content analysis approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants to explore their perspectives of providing informational support to families of ICU patients. A purposeful sampling method was used to recruit nineteen family members of thirteen patients hospitalized in the ICU and twelve nurses from three teaching hospitals. In general, 31 persons participated in this study. Data collection continued to achieve data saturation.Findings:A conventional content analysis of the data produced three categories and seven sub-categories. The three main categories were as followed, a) providing information, b) handling information and c) using information. Providing information had three sub-categories consisting of “receiving admission news”, “receiving truthful and complete information” and receiving general information. Handling information had two sub-categories consisting ‘keeping information” and “gradual revelation”. Lastly, using information has two sub-categories consisting of “support of patient” and “support of family members”.Conclusion:The results of this study revealed perspectives of families of Intensive Care Unit patients and nurses about informational support. It also determines the nurses’ need to know more about the influence of their supportive role on family’s ICU patients informing. In addition, the results of present study can be used as a basis for further studies and for offering guidelines about informational support to the families of the patients hospitalized in the ICU.

Family Needs of Critically Ill Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, Comparison of Nurses and Family Perception

“…This may be interpreted that unscheduled visits of family members cause disruptions during patients' care and doctors' rounds. This was supported by Belio (2011) [40] and Gaeeni et al (2015) [41] they reported that nurses ranked "to be told about transfer plans while they are being made" and "to be called at home about changes in the patient's condition" and "to have visiting hours start on time" as an important family needs. As well as Verhaeghe et al (2007) [42] and Morton & Fontaine (2009) [43] concluded that accurate and understandable information help to relieve negative feelings.…”

Emotional support to the family of the critically ill patient: nursing interventions

“…Emotional needs of the family The family of the hospitalized patient experiences feelings of uncertainty, fear, anxiety, and helplessness, related to their clinical situation and the lack of information, which sometimes lead to feelings of depression and guilt. There is also the fear of questioning the health professional team and the struggle in perceiving the information supplied by them (Gaeeni, Farahani, Seyedfatemi, & Mohammadi, 2015). The identified needs are associated with receiving adequate clinical information from the present health professionals because family members are afraid of questioning or bothering them.…”

Family members’ experiences in adult intensive care units: a systematic review

“…Most studies were conducted in the United States (n = 9) (11,13,(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). Fifteen studies were conducted in the Americas, that is, three studies from Brazil (26-28), three studies from Canada (29)(30)(31) and nine studies from the United States; seven studies from Europe (32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38); three studies from Asia (39)(40)(41); and two studies each from New Zealand (42) and Australia (43). Kentish-Barnes's study (33) conducted in France contributed majority of the participants; it involved 242 family members from 22 ICUs across France.…”