Satisfaction of family members of critically ill patients admitted to a public hospital intensive care unit and correlated factors

Abstract

Objective To analyze the satisfaction, medical situation understanding and symptoms of anxiety and depression in family members of patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods The family members of patients who were hospitalized for ≥ 72 hours were invited to participate in the study, which was performed in a public hospital. Questionnaires were answered to assess the understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, and the support received in the intensive care unit. The family needs were also evaluated using a modified version of the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results A total of 35 family members were interviewed within the patients' first week of stay in the intensive care unit. Most patients (57.1%) were male, aged 54 ± 19 years. Sepsis was the main reason for admission to the intensive care unit (40%); the median of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) 3 was 68 (48 - 77), and 51.4% of the patients died in the intensive care unit. The majority of the family members were female (74.3%) and were sons or daughters of patients (54.3%), with a mean age of 43.2 ± 14 years. Overall, 77.1% of the family members were satisfied with the intensive care unit. A total of 37.1% of the family members did not understand the prognosis. Receiving clear and complete information in the intensive care unit and the doctor being accessible were factors that were significantly correlated with the overall family satisfaction. The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety (60%) and depression (54.3%) in the family members was high. Conclusion The emotional distress of family members is high during a patient's hospitalization in the intensive care unit, although satisfaction is also high. Clear and complete information provided by the intensivist and the support received in the intensive care unit are significantly correlated with the satisfaction of family members in a public hospital.

Does hospitalisation of a patient in the intensive care unit cause anxiety and does restriction of visiting cause depression for the relatives of these patients during COVID‐19 pandemic?

“…69.1% and 35.4% in a multicenter trial in France, 71.8% and 53.8% in a trial reported from Brazil, 60% and 54% in another trial from Brazil, 35% and 66% in a trial from India, 35.9% and 71.8% in a trial from Turkey respectively. [11][12][13][14][15] As a result of these trials preceding the pandemic, the anxiety levels in our country is lower than France and Brazil, similar to India while depression levels are higher than France, Brazil and India. When the rates of anxiety and depression in relatives of the patients before the pandemic was compared with the pandemic (35.9% and 71.8% respectively) by Köse et al it can be roughly be said that anxiety levels raised (45.8%-46.7%) while depression levels decreased (62.5%-67.5%) during the pandemic.…”

“…In this aspect, it was consistent with the results of other studies. 13,26 In the literature, there is no difference between the anxiety and depression levels of the relatives of ICU patients in terms of the education level of the patients' relatives. 15,32,33 Most of the participants in the study were university graduates, and although the lowest anxiety and depression levels were found in this group, and there was no significant relationship between the education level of the participants and their anxiety or depression levels.…”

Da sala de espera ao leito: Observação de familiares sobre a Unidade de Terapia Intensiva

“…A presença da família na UTI pode contribuir para a recuperação do paciente, neste sentido, o seu acolhimento pelos profissionais é fundamental para o alcance desse objetivo. Para tanto, a família do paciente em UTI precisa ser inserida nas estratégias de cuidados desenvolvidos pela equipe (Midega, Oliveira & Fumis, 2019). Por isso, destaca-se a importância de conhecer as suas expectativas, necessidades e crenças para contribuir com a satisfação da família, aliados a habilidades da equipe em estabelecer comunicação clara quanto aos procedimentos realizados e obtenção de feedback da família sobre o entendimento.…”

Measuring Family-centered Care in Intensive Care Units: Developing and Testing Psychometric Properties

“…Moreover, Midega, Oliveira, & Fumis(2019) had noted in their study that having access to physicians and providing clear and complete information in ICUs were among the factors contributing to family satisfaction. [39]. It could be concluded that physicians were in the habit of sharing information about patient conditions with families and nurses were reemphasizing them [40].…”