The Introduction of Family Presence Evidence-Based Practice Into a Baccalaureate Nursing Curriculum

Abstract

The topic of family presence (FP) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation or invasive procedures has recently received attention and debate among healthcare professionals due to pioneering research in this field. Studies completed have included family perspectives on family presence, patients' feelings on family presence, and healthcare providers' views on family presence. Two key areas found to correlate with family presence acceptance among healthcare providers are education and experience. Senior nursing students in one baccalaureate program were introduced to this topic during a 3-hour class on death and dying. Comparisons between pretest and posttest scores revealed an increase in the acceptance of family presence as a priority in nursing care of the critically ill.

Family presence during resuscitation and invasive procedures: Physicians’ and nurses’ attitudes working in pediatric departments in Greece

“…[32][33][34] Surveys conducted after an experience with FP, showed that support for the practice is more likely in this case. 14,19,[35][36][37] In agreement with our results, two researchers from USA reported that, experience of FP is an important factor in modifying healthcare personnel's opinion 14 and that previous experience was the most important predictor of acceptance of FP among staff.…”

European Cardiovascular Nurses' Experiences of and Attitudes Towards Having Family Members Present in the Resuscitation Room

“…That nurses in clinical practice were less positive than their colleagues in education, management and research might be related to experience and advanced education [27,28].…”

Family presence during resuscitation: Validation of the risk–benefit and self-confidence scales for student nurses

“…Both role-modeling by individuals, and change at the institutional level (such as having a policy on family witnessed resuscitation) could be important in raising confidence around family-witnessed resuscitation. Educational opportunities to explore the topic are also likely to be important, although it has been noted that family presence at resuscitation is not addressed by most nursing curriculum (Norton et al, 2007).…”